title: Omentum Cells Promote Healing of Colonic Tissues in Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS) Induced Model of Colitis in Mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inflammatory bowel disease is characterized by persistent inflammation of the intestinal tissues. Although the usage of biologics has greatly enhanced the management of this disorder, a permanent treatment does not exist. In this study, we investigated whether the cells with anti-inflammatory and healing properties from the omentum could be harnessed to treat colitis in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse colitis model.
  
  
  METHODS
  C57BL/6 mice were administered 2% DSS for 10 days and then injected in the peritoneum with cells isolated from the murine omentum. Thereafter, body weight change, serum KC levels, and histological analysis of the colon were conducted. We also examined if omentum infused mice were resistant to a lethal challenge of 4% DSS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  2% DSS-mice injected with omentum cells exhibited a decrease in body weight loss, decreased inflammation in the colon and decreased levels of the inflammatory cytokine KC in the serum compared to mice given 2% DSS alone. In addition, mice administered a lethal dose of 4% DSS exhibited a 50% decrease in mortality when injected with omentum cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cells from the omentum exert anti-inflammatory and/or healing properties in the acute DSS-induced colitis model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Byung Chul
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Min Ho
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Periannan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sethupathi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Hyejeon College, Hongseong, Korea.
authors.forename: In-Soo
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Hyejeon College, Hongseong, Korea.
authors.forename: Dongsup
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Ki-Jong
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Rhee
keywords: Colitis; Dextran sulfate sodium; Inflammatory bowel disease; Omentum; Stem cells