title: Epithelial expression of vasoactive intestinal peptide in ulcerative colitis: down-regulation in markedly inflamed colon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) has a number of important effects in intestinal physiology and pathology, including in ulcerative colitis (UC). The expression patterns of the predominant VIP receptor in the mucosa (the VPAC1 receptor) are unknown for the mucosa in UC. It is assumed that the sources of VIP in the intestine are the innervation and the inflammatory cells.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The VIP and VPAC1 receptor expression patterns in the epithelial layer of UC and non-UC patients were examined in the present study. The influence of marked inflammation of the mucosa was evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Specimens of the human colon, including the colon of UC patients, were examined concerning expressions of VIP and VPAC1 receptor, focusing on the epithelial layer. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were utilized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were VIP mRNA reactions and also marked VPAC1 receptor immunoreactions in the normal and slightly/moderately affected epithelium. VIP mRNA reactions were not detected and VPAC1 immunoreactions were minimal in response to marked mucosal derangement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest that there is a local production of VIP in the epithelial cells in normal and slightly/moderately inflamed mucosa but not in severely inflamed mucosa. Furthermore, a marked downregulation in VPAC1 receptor expressions occurs in the epithelium in severe UC. Based on the knowledge that VIP can have trophic, healing and anti-inflammatory effects, it is likely that the decrease in VIP mRNA and VPAC1 receptor reactions seen in severely affected mucosa in UC may be associated with adverse effects on intestinal function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Medical Microbiology, Linköping University, 58183, Linköping, Sweden. maria.jonsson@liu.se
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jönsson
authors.forename: Orjan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Norrgård
authors.forename: Sture
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Forsgren
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051238:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide, Type I / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D051238:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide, Type I; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide