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Published on: May 21, 2012
Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and normal intestinal lymphocytes express integrins in dissimilar patterns
B R Yacyshyn1, A Lazarovits, V Tsai
1Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
Insights
Integrin expression on intestinal immune cells differs in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). These changes in alpha and beta integrins affect lymphocyte homing, distinguishing IBD from normal intestinal tissue.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Integrins are adhesion molecules on intestinal lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMNC).
- These molecules regulate cell migration and are implicated in disease pathogenesis.
- Understanding integrin expression is crucial for studying inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate integrin expression on LPMNC in normal individuals and patients with IBD.
- To compare integrin profiles on T-cell and B-cell subsets between normal and IBD groups.
- To identify differences in integrin expression that may explain altered lymphocyte homing in IBD.
Main Methods:
- Fluorescence-activated cell cytometry was used to analyze LPMNC from normal patients, Crohn's disease patients, and ulcerative colitis patients.
- Monoclonal antibodies against various integrins were employed for cell staining.
- T-cell (CD3+) and B-cell (CD19+) subsets were specifically examined.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in alpha and beta integrin expression were observed on T and B cells in IBD LPMNC compared to normal.
- Ulcerative colitis T cells showed altered expression of alpha 2, alpha 4, alpha 6, and beta 1 integrins.
- Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis B cells displayed distinct integrin profiles, including changes in alpha 2, alpha 4, alpha 5, and beta 7 expression.
Conclusions:
- The study identified specific differences in integrin expression on lymphocytes in IBD.
- These findings highlight altered lymphocyte homing capabilities in inflammatory bowel disease.
- The distinct integrin profiles may contribute to the pathogenesis of IBD.
Background/Aims:
The integrin family of adhesion molecules on intestinal lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMNC) was studied using fluorescence-activated cell cytometry. These molecules are implicated in extravascular cell migration and are important regulators of disease.
Methods:
Using fluorescence-activated cell cytometry, B- and T-cell subsets in the intestines of 10 normal patients, 11 patients with Crohn's disease, and 8 patients with ulcerative colitis were stained with monoclonal antibodies to a panel of integrins.
Results:
Expression of alpha integrins on CD3+ T cells and CD19+ B cells was different in normal and inflammatory bowel disease LPMNC. Ulcerative colitis T cells expressed less beta 1 and alpha 4 and significantly more alpha 2 and alpha 6. There was a difference in alpha 4 and beta 1 expression between LPMNC B cells from Crohn's disease and normal intestines. Sixteen percent of CD19+ LPMNC B cells from Crohn's and 19% of ulcerative colitis LPMNC expressed alpha 2. Crohn's and ulcerative colitis CD19+ LPMNC B cells expressed more alpha 5 integrin than normal specimens. CD3+ T cells and CD19+ B cells expressed alpha 6 only in ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease CD19+ LPMNC expressed less alpha 4, consistent with their reciprocal increases of alpha 5 and alpha 2. A difference in beta 7 (Peyer's patch specific) antigen was observed between inflammatory bowel disease and normal LPMNC for both CD3+ and CD19+ LPMNC.
Conclusions:
These findings identify the differences of lymphocyte homing capability in inflammatory bowel disease and normal intestine.
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