Increased state of activation of CD4 positive T cells and elevated interferon gamma production in pouchitis.
BACKGROUND
Immunoregulatory abnormalities of T cells might be of importance in the pathogenesis of pouchitis after ileoanal pouch anastomosis (IAP).


OBJECTIVE
To characterise T cell subsets, their state of activation, and production of cytokines in inflamed and non-inflamed pouches in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). The influence of T cell activation on mucosal transformation was also studied.


METHODS
Mucosal biopsy specimens were taken from 42 patients with IAP (33 with UC and nine with FAP).


METHODS
Mononuclear cells were isolated by standard techniques and characterised by three colour flow cytometry. Interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) production was studied using the ELISPOT technique.


RESULTS
In patients with UC with pouchitis there was a significant increase in the CD4:CD8 ratio, expression of activation markers on CD3+ cells, and number of IFNgamma producing mononuclear cells compared with patients with UC without pouchitis (CD4:CD8 ratio 1.3 (range 0.7-2.7) versus 0.6 (0. 1-1.0), p=0.012). In addition, a positive correlation between increased crypt depth and the number of CD4+ cells (r=0.57) was shown.


CONCLUSIONS
The observed increase in activated mucosal CD4+ T cells and IFN-gamma production might lead to mucosal destruction and crypt hyperplasia as seen in pouchitis.
Stallmach
A
A
Department of Internal Medicine II, University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany.
Schäfer
F
F
Hoffmann
S
S
Weber
S
S
Müller-Molaian
I
I
Schneider
T
T
Köhne
G
G
Ecker
K W
KW
Feifel
G
G
Zeitz
M
M
D000328:Adult; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019449:Pouchitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D007371:Interferon-gamma