The sentinel node technique is useful for studies of intestinal immunology in inflammatory bowel disease patients.
OBJECTIVE
Mesenteric lymph nodes may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of human inflammatory bowel disease. We have used the sentinel node technique to analyze mesenteric lymph nodes draining inflammatory lesions sentinel nodes and corresponding site of inflamed bowel in patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.


METHODS
Thirty-two patients undergoing surgical treatment of inflammatory bowel disease were included. Sentinel nodes were identified intraoperatively. The T cells were harvested from the mesenteric lymph nodes and characterized by flow cytometry.


RESULTS
The distribution of CD4CD62L (homing-marked) and CD4CD69 (activated) T cells was studied in mesenteric lymph nodes draining inflammation, nodes draining normal intestine, blood, and mucosa. The turnover of T cells was markedly increased in the lymph nodes connected to inflammatory segments. The immunologic activity of the sentinel lymph nodes correlated with the degree of intestinal inflammation.


CONCLUSIONS
Mesenteric sentinel nodes provide important information about locoregional immunology and pathogenesis in inflammatory bowel disease.
Eberhardson
Michael
M
aDepartment of Clinical Science and Education, Sodersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. michael.eberhardson@sodersjukhuset.se
Lindberg
Kenneth
K
Karlsson
Mats
M
Karlén
Per
P
Winqvist
Ola
O
Thörn
Magnus
M
D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D019041:L-Selectin / Q000276:immunology; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008643:Mesentery / Q000276:immunology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D000099192:CD69 Antigens
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D019041:L-Selectin; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D000099192:CD69 Antigens