Immune sensitization to yeast antigens in ASCA-positive patients with Crohn's disease.
BACKGROUND
Alimentary antigens may play a role in the perpetuation of inflammation in Crohn's disease (CD). Yeast antigens are widespread components of food. A proportion of CD patients develop antibodies against the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ASCA), but little is known about the cellular immune reactivity against food antigens in antibody-positive and -negative patients.


METHODS
Lymphocytes from patients with CD, ulcerative colitis, and healthy controls were tested for their proliferative response after stimulation with the yeast antigen mannan and ovalbumin. The cellular phenotypes and activation markers were analyzed via FACS. Cytokine concentrations and antibody titers were determined by ELISA.


RESULTS
Only lymphocytes of ASCA-positive patients with CD proliferated after stimulation with mannan. These lymphocytes expressed increased activation markers (CD25, CD69). Activation of T cells was mediated by antigen-presenting cells and was associated with increased tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels. The immune reactivity to ovalbumin was predominantly found in CD patients. It was weaker compared with mannan, independent of ASCA status, and also present in healthy controls.


CONCLUSIONS
A disturbed humoral and cellular response to the yeast antigen mannan is specifically seen in a subgroup of CD patients. This phenomenon may be due to a loss of tolerance toward yeast and is possibly genetically determined.
Konrad
Astrid
A
Division of Gastroenterology, Inselspital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, Switzerland.
Rütten
Cordula
C
Flogerzi
Beatrice
B
Styner
Maya
M
Göke
Burkhard
B
Seibold
Frank
F
D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D008297:Male; D008351:Mannans / Q000494:pharmacology; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000494:pharmacology; D012016:Reference Values; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000276:immunology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D016207:Cytokines; D008351:Mannans; D010047:Ovalbumin