Int J Colorectal Dis (2007) 22:581–589 DOI 10.1007/s00384-006-0236-0
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Adhesion molecules in chronic ulcerative colitis Maya V. Gulubova & Irena M. Manolova & Tatyana I. Vlaykova & Margarita Prodanova & Jovcho P. Jovchev
Accepted: 5 October 2006 / Published online: 16 November 2006 # Springer-Verlag 2006
Abstract Background and aims The adhesion molecule expression in colonic mucosa is pivotal for transition from quiescent to active stage of ulcerative colitis (UC). The aim of the present study is to reveal the adhesion molecule profile of colonic mucosa in the active stage of UC and in remission. Materials and methods Biopsy specimens obtained from 14 patients with UC (seven with active disease and seven with UC in remission) and from seven controls were used. Immunohistochemistry was performed with antibodies M. V. Gulubova (*) Department of General and Clinical Pathology, Medical Faculty, Trakia University, Armeiska Street 11, Stara Zagora 6000, Bulgaria e-mail:
[email protected] I. M. Manolova Department of Molecular Biology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, Medical Faculty, Trakia University, Armeiska Street 11, Stara Zagora 6000, Bulgaria T. I. Vlaykova Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Trakia University, Armeiska Street 11, Stara Zagora 6000, Bulgaria M. Prodanova Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Faculty, Trakia University, Armeiska Street 11, Stara Zagora 6000, Bulgaria J. P. Jovchev Department of General Surgery, Medical Faculty, Trakia University, Armeiska Street 11, Stara Zagora 6000, Bulgaria
against ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin, LFA-1, Mac-1, and VLA-4. Results In controls, slight ICAM-1 positivity was observed on thety endothelium of blood vessels of the mucosal and submucosal layer and only single ICAM-1-, Mac-1-, and LFA-1-positive cells were found. In all patients with UC, the endothelium of venules in the edematous mucosal and submucosal layers was ICAM-1-, VCAM-1-, and E-selectin-positive. Numerous ICAM-1- and LFA-1-positive and less VCAM-1-, Mac-1-, and VLA-4-positive inflammatory cells were detected in mucous layers of acute UC. In specimens of UC in remission, the inflammatory cells positive for the studied adhesion molecules were significantly less in number in the mucosa and submucosa (p
