title: Endothelial Fas-Ligand in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and in Acute Appendicitis.
abstract: Fas-mediated induction of apoptosis is a major factor in the selection of lymphocytes and downregulation of immunological processes. In the present study, we have assessed endothelial Fas-ligand (FasL) expression in normal human ileum, appendix, and colon, and compared the expression levels with that in inflammatory bowel disease and in acute appendicitis. In a normal appendix, endothelial FasL levels were constant in almost half of the mucosal vessels; but, in the normal ileum and colon, endothelial FasL was practically restricted to areas in close proximity to lymphatic follicles, and was expressed mainly in the submucosal aspect of the follicles in the vessels with high endothelium. In samples from subjects with either Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, the extent of endothelial FasL expression was elevated in the submucosa and associated with an elevated number of lymphoid follicles. In inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers and areas with a high density of mononuclear cells expressing FasL also showed an elevated density of blood vessels with endothelial FasL expression. Although the function of endothelial FasL remains unclear, such a specific expression pattern suggests that endothelial FasL expression has a role in the regulation of lymphocyte access to the peripheral lymphoid tissues, including the intestinal mucosa.
authors.affiliation: Lapland Hospital District, Rovaniemi, Finland (TSK)|Department of Pathology, Cancer and Translational Medicine Research Unit, MRC Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Finland (TSK, TJK)
authors.forename: Tuomo S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Kokkonen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Cancer and Translational Medicine Research Unit, MRC Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Finland (TSK, TJK)
authors.forename: Tuomo J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Karttunen
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003106:Colon / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007082:Ileum / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: C505661:FASLG protein, human; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein
keywords: Crohn’s disease; Fas-ligand; endothelium; immunology; ulcerative colitis