LFA-1 subunit expression in ulcerative colitis patients.
The adhesion molecule, lymphocyte function associated antigen (LFA-1) consisting of two subunits, CD11a and CD18, mediates lymphocyte migration into tissue and cell effector functions. Previous observations showed no differences in LFA-1 expression by circulating lymphocytes between inflammatory bowel disease patients and controls. The aim of the present work was to study subsets of circulating LFA-1+ lymphocytes in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients versus healthy controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from 16 UC patients and 10 healthy volunteers. The percentages of CD11alo, CD11ahi, CD18lo, CD18hi T and B cells, as well as Cd25 expression on these cells were studied using double staining with monoclonal antibodies and panning procedures. The percentage of CD11hi and CD18hi T cells was significantly decreased in quiescent UC patients as compared to active disease patients and healthy controls (P < 0.05). The majority of CD25+ T cells were expressing CD11a and CD18 with low density. A detectable percentage, 2% (range 1-6%), of CD11ahiCD25+ (but not CD18hiCD25+) was found in UC patients with moderate to severe disease, but not in those with inactive UC to healthy controls. In conclusion, the percentage of CD11ahi+ and CD18hi+ T cells is decreased in peripheral blood of quiescent UC patients, which is probably associated with the effect of specific treatment. The percentage of CD11ahi+IL-2R alpha+ T cells is increased in peripheral blood of patients with active (moderate and severe) UC, which most likely reflects a sustained T-cell activation due to a persistent inflammatory process.
Kirman
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Cornell Medical College, Department of Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Nielsen
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OH
D000328:Adult; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018821:CD18 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
D018821:CD18 Antigens; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1