Transforming growth factor-betas and their signaling receptors are coexpressed in Crohn's disease

To evaluate mechanisms that contribute to tissue repair and tissue remodeling in Crohn's disease (CD).

Transforming growth factor-betas (TGF-betas) are involved in different chronic inflammatory disorders. They function by binding to two receptors, type I (TbetaR-I) subtype ALK5 and type II (TbetaR-II), which are concomitantly required for signal transduction.

Tissues were obtained from 18 patients with CD (10 female patients, 8 male patients, median age 38.7 years [range 16 to 58 years]) undergoing surgery because of CD-related complications. Tissue samples of 18 healthy organ donors (10 female subjects, 8 male subjects, median age 50.3 years [range 15 to 65 years]) served as controls. The expression and localization of TGF-beta1, TGF-beta2, TGF-beta3, TbetaR-IALK5, TbetaR-II, and TbetaR-III were studied by Northern blot analysis, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry.

On Northern blot analysis, 94% of the CD samples exhibited enhanced TGF-beta1, TGF-beta3, and TbetaR-II mRNA expression compared with controls. TGF-beta2 was increased in 72%, TbetaR-IALK5 in 72%, and TbetaR-III in 82% of the patients with CD. On in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analysis, TGF-beta1, TbetaR-IALK5, and TbetaR-II were seen to be colocalized in the lamina propria cells and in the lymphocytes closest to the luminal surface, but also in the remaining epithelial cells, and in fibroblasts of CD tissue samples.

The concomitant overexpression of TGF-betas and their signaling receptors in CD points to a potential role of these regulatory molecules in the pathophysiology of CD. Activation of TGF-beta-mediated pathways might promote the repair of mucosal injury by enhancing the process of reepithelization, but might also contribute to extracellular matrix generation and subsequently to intramural fibrosis and intestinal obstruction.