Adhesion molecule expression on vascular endothelium and nitroblue tetrazolium reducing activity in human colonic mucosa.
BACKGROUND
Expression of adhesion molecules is increased in inflamed colonic mucosa, but little is known about their functional activity in vascular endothelium.


METHODS
We studied in situ nitroblue tetrazolium reducing activity and expression of E-selectin, ICAM-1, CD31, and VCAM-1 by immunohistochemistry in the same biopsy specimen in controls and patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).


RESULTS
VCAM-1 expression was negative in mucosal vessels. E-selectin-positive vessels were significantly increased in endoscopically active colitis compared with normal mucosa. ICAM-1-positive vessels were consistently found in normal, quiescent UC and active UC. CD31-positive vessels were not significantly increased in quiescent UC and active UC compared with control. Only E-selectin significantly correlated with the histologic grade of inflammation. Nitroblue tetrazolium reducing vessels were increased in inflamed mucosa, and these vessels expressed ICAM-1 and CD31. E-selectin positivity in association with nitroblue tetrazolium reduction was mainly seen in the large mucosal vessels, but capillaries showing nitroblue tetrazolium reduction were rarely positive for E-selectin.


CONCLUSIONS
Phenotypic and functional activation of vascular endothelium might be involved in the recruitment of leukocytes and tissue destruction of inflamed colonic mucosa.
Oshitani
N
N
Gastroenterology Unit, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, UK.
Campbell
A
A
Bloom
S
S
Kitano
A
A
Kobayashi
K
K
Jewell
D P
DP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007202:Indicators and Reagents / Q000494:pharmacology; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009580:Nitroblue Tetrazolium / Q000494:pharmacology; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D009580:Nitroblue Tetrazolium