Role of integrin α4β7 in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis in rats.
- Author:
Qi HUANG
1
;
Bu-jun GE
;
Xi ZHANG
;
Xi-mei CHEN
;
Chang-qing YANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Animals; Colitis, Ulcerative; metabolism; pathology; Colon; metabolism; pathology; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Integrins; metabolism; physiology; Interleukin-2; metabolism; Interleukin-6; metabolism; Intestinal Mucosa; pathology; Rats
- From: Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2010;13(12):926-929
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of integrin α4β7 in the development of ulcerative colitis (UC) in rats.
METHODSSixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the control group (acetone enema), the model group (2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene, DNCB enema), and the α4 intervention group. Colonic mucosa of different groups was observed and compared in terms of pathology and cytokine changes(IL-2 and IL-6) using ELISA. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to detect the colon α4β7 expression. Integrin α4β7(+) lymphocytes in the portal vein of rats were determined by flow cytometry.
RESULTSThe expression of α4 mRNA was 0.68±0.24 in the model group and 0.58±0.37 in the intervention group, and the expression of β7 mRNA was 0.84±0.37 in the model group and 0.65±0.30 in the intervention group, which were all significantly higher as compared to those in the control group(0.15±0.13 for α4 and 0.24±0.62 for β7, P<0.01). The proportions of integrin α4β7 positive lymphocytes in the portal vein in the model group and intervention group were significantly higher than that in the control group [(76.7±8.2)% and (68.2±7.6)% vs. (14.7±6.7)%, P<0.01]. The expression of IL-2 and IL-6 and the result of macroscopic and microscopic scores in the intervention group were lower than those in the model group(P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONSHigh expression of α4β7 may play an important role in experimental colon mucosa inflammation in rats with ulcerative colitis. The blockade of integrin α4β7 may be a potential target to reduce colonic mucosa inflammation.