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Morphological Changes in Mesenteric Lymph Nodes and Lymphocyte Subpopulation Composition in Experimental Ulcerative
E A Postovalova1,2, D N Khochansky3, N A Zolotova4,3
1Department of Cellular Biology and Histology, Biological Faculty, M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia. e.a.postovalova@gmail.com.
Insights
Investigating ulcerative colitis in mice revealed significant changes in mesenteric lymph nodes. Acute phases showed decreased B cells and increased cytotoxic T cells, while chronic phases exhibited elevated B cells and T helper cells, indicating immune response shifts.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
- Pathology
Background:
- Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
- Mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) play a crucial role in gut immunity.
- Understanding MLN changes in UC is vital for therapeutic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate morphological and lymphocyte subpopulation changes in MLNs during experimental UC.
- To differentiate immune responses in acute versus chronic UC models.
Main Methods:
- Induction of acute and chronic ulcerative colitis in male C57Bl/6 mice using sodium dextran sulfate.
- Analysis of MLN morphology, including follicular hyperplasia and sinus reactions.
- Flow cytometry to quantify lymphocyte subpopulations (CD19+ B cells, CD3+CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells, CD4+ T helper cells).
Main Results:
- Both acute and chronic UC induced reactive changes in MLNs.
- Acute UC: Decreased CD19+ B cells, increased CD3+CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, suggesting Th1 activation.
- Chronic UC: Increased CD19+ B cells and CD3+CD4+ T helper cells, indicative of adaptive immunity and inflammation chronicity.
Conclusions:
- MLN immune dynamics differ significantly between acute and chronic experimental UC.
- Lymphocyte migration from thymus and colon contributes to MLN changes.
- Findings highlight distinct immune profiles in UC progression, offering targets for intervention.
Abstract:
Morphological changes in the mesenteric lymph nodes of male C57Bl/6 mice and subpopulation composition of lymphocytes in these nodes were studied in experimental acute and chronic ulcerative colitis induced by sodium dextran sulfate. Acute and chronic ulcerative colitis was associated with the development of reactive changes in the mesenteric lymph nodes. These changes were of mixed type and were characterized by follicular hyperplasia and sinus reaction. The content of CD19(+) B cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes decreased in acute ulcerative colitis, while the content of CD3(+)CD8(+) cytotoxic T cells increased, which presumably reflected activation of Th1 reactions. The increase in the count of CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) regulatory T cells and CD3(+)CD8(+) cytotoxic T cells was due to intensive migration of lymphocytes from the thymus and the colonic compartment of the local immune system. Chronic ulcerative colitis was associated with higher levels of CD19(+) B cells and CD3(+)CD4(+) T helper cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes, which was characteristic of adoptive immunity reactions and chronization of the inflammatory process.
