Immunohistologic study of ulcerative colitis with monoclonal antibodies against tumor-associated and/or differentiation antigens.
We used monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) (19-9, 55-2, and 73-3) that detect tumor-associated or differentiation antigens, or both, to immunohistochemically study a well-defined group of patients with ulcerative colitis. Monoclonal antibody 19-9 detects the gastrointestinal cancer-associated antigen (sialylated Lewis A). Monoclonal antibody 55-2 detects the Lewis Y antigen and reacts with deep crypt cells in the normal colon. In the normal colon MAb 73-3 reacts with mature superficial columnar cells detecting the protein moiety of a 35,000-dalton glycoprotein. In cases of inactive or mildly active disease, MAbs 19-9, 55-2, and 73-3 had staining patterns similar to normal colon. In 72% and 44% of cases of severely active disease, MAb 19-9 and MAb 73-3, respectively, reacted with epithelial cells at all levels of the crypt, whereas MAb 55-2 reacted only with deep crypt cells. Monoclonal antibodies 19-9, 55-2, and 73-3 reacted with dysplastic epithelium in 70%, 10%, and 60% of cases, respectively. In severely active disease, proliferating epithelial cells "paradoxically" express markers of differentiated epithelium throughout the entire crypt. Similarly, colonic epithelial cells may have the ability to reversibly express tumor-associated antigens. Unfortunately, the MAbs used in this study cannot differentiate dysplasia from reactive epithelium.
Cooper
H S
HS
Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Steplewski
Z
Z
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000032:analysis*; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D003106:Colon / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007519:Isoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D007519:Isoantigens; D007983:Lewis Blood Group Antigens