Increased expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha messenger RNA in the intestinal mucosa of inflammatory bowel disease, particularly in patients with disease in the inactive phase.
BACKGROUND
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), may be involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of TNF-alpha on the inflammatory activity of IBD.


METHODS
TNF-alpha mRNA expression in intestinal mucosal biopsy specimens from IBD patients [ulcerative colitis (UC), n = 54; and Crohn's disease (CD), n = 11] was analyzed using a competitive polymerase chain reaction. The degree of macrophage infiltration was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, using an antihuman CD68 antibody.


RESULTS
TNF-alpha mRNA expression was increased in UC patients, corresponding to the inflammatory activity. However, in CD, TNF-alpha mRNA expression was not correlated with the endoscopic findings.


CONCLUSIONS
We clarified that TNF-alpha mRNA expression was responsible for the inflammatory activity in UC. However, TNF-alpha mRNA expression was not correlated with the mucosal injury in CD.
Akazawa
Akiko
A
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yamaguchi University, School of Medicine, Ube, Japan.
Sakaida
Isao
I
Higaki
Shingo
S
Kubo
Yoshitsugu
Y
Uchida
Koichi
K
Okita
Kiwamu
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis*; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000032:analysis*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C067980:CD68 antigen, human; D000097382:CD68 Molecule