title: Antigen-presenting dendritic cells in ulcerative colitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Antigen-presenting dendritic cells are the inducers and regulators of immune responses. Here, we have discussed the phenotype and function of dendritic cells in situ and their alteration during lymphocytapheresis in patients with ulcerative colitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dendritic cells were enriched from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells by culturing with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factors and interleukin 4 for 8 days. The function of dendritic cells was evaluated in an allogenic mixed leukocyte reaction. Flow cytometry was employed to study the phenotype of dendritic cells. Lymphocytapheresis was done by a continuous flow centrifugation technique using a CS-3000 separator. Immunohistochemical methodology was employed to detect dendritic cells at the colonic mucosa.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Peripheral blood dendritic cells had increased functional capacity, and these cells were matured and activated compared to dendritic cells from normal controls. CD83-positive activated and mature dendritic cells were found at the colonic mucosa from patients with ulcerative colitis. Lymphocytapheresis induced decreased function of peripheral blood dendritic cells in patients with ulcerative colitis. Also, the levels of inflammatory cytokines were reduced by lymphocytapheresis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased function of dendritic cells may be related to the inflammatory mucosal milieu found in patients with ulcerative colitis. Depletion of dendritic cells during lymphocytapheresis may downregulate the exacerbated immune response in patients with ulcerative colitis.
authors.affiliation: Third Department of Internal Medicine, Ehime University School of Medicine, Shigenobu-cho, Ehime 791-0295, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshio
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.forename: Sk Md Fazle
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Akbar
authors.forename: Hidetaka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matsui
authors.forename: Morikazu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Onji
mesh_terms: D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000494:pharmacology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D007937:Leukapheresis / Q000379:methods; D011336:Probability; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D016207:Cytokines; D015847:Interleukin-4; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor