title: Submucosal fibrosis and basic-fibroblast growth factor-positive neutrophils correlate with colonic stenosis in cases of ulcerative colitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The frequency of benign stenosis in ulcerative colitis (UC) is low, reported as being 3.2-11.2%, with fibrosis in the submucosa or deeper pointed out as one of the causes. The aim of the present study was to assess stenosis in UC cases using immunostaining and to analyze differences between stenotic and nonstenotic cases, focusing on basic-fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) expression and myofibroblasts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Totals of 9 stenotic and 17 nonstenotic UC cases were histopathologically examined and immunohistochemically stained for b-FGF, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), CD34, CD68 and IL-6. To identify b-FGF-positive cells, double immunostaining for b-FGF and myeloperoxidase or CD68 was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In addition to submucosal fibrosis, a significant increase of b-FGF-positive inflammatory cells and myofibroblasts was observed in stenotic portions. Most b-FGF-positive cells were also positive for myeloperoxidase, and a correlation between b-FGF-positive and total neutrophil counts was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  One of the major causes of stenosis in long-standing UC is fibrosis in the bowel wall, possibly induced by infiltrating inflammatory neutrophils producing b-FGF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Kitasato University East Hospital, Sagamihara, Japan.
authors.forename: Masaru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamagata
authors.forename: Tetuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mikami
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsuruta
authors.forename: Kaoru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yokoyama
authors.forename: Miwa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sada
authors.forename: Kiyonori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Tomoe
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Katsumata
authors.forename: Wasaburou
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Koizumi
authors.forename: Katsunori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Saigenji
authors.forename: Isao
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Okayasu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005355:Fibrosis; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2