Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0009324 (ulcerative colitis)
17,300 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The rapid rise in prevalence of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) in highly developed countries suggests that environmental change engenders risk for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Eradication of parasitic worms (helminths) through increased hygiene may be one such change that has led to increased prevalence of these diseases. Helminths alter host mucosal and systemic immunity, inhibiting dysregulated inflammatory responses. Animals exposed to helminths are protected from experimental colitis, encephalitis, and diabetes. Patients with CD or UC improve when exposed to whipworm. Lamina propria (LP) mononuclear cells from helminth-colonized mice make less interleukin (IL)-12 p40 and IFN-gamma, but more IL-4, IL-13, IL-10, TGF-beta, and PGE(2) compared to LP mononuclear cells from naive mice. Systemic immune responses show similar skewing toward Th2 and regulatory cytokine production in worm-colonized animal models and humans. Recent reports suggest that helminths induce regulatory T cell activity. These effects by once ubiquitous organisms may have protected individuals from many of the emerging immune-mediated illnesses like IBD, multiple sclerosis, type I diabetes, and asthma.
...
PMID:Role of helminths in regulating mucosal inflammation. 1595 81

The aim of this study was to elucidate the molecular mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic effects of leukocytapheresis (LCAP). We investigated the alterations in circulating T cell subsets after LCAP therapy in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. Eighteen patients with UC were enrolled. Fourteen patients were responders, and four patients were non-responders. Peripheral venous blood was obtained within 5 min before and 5 min after LCAP therapy. Flow cytometric analysis for T cell markers and intracellular interferon (IFN)-gamma (Th1) and interleukin (IL)-4 (Th2) was then performed. The average numbers of lymphocytes, T and B cells were significantly decreased after LCAP therapy, respectively (P < 0.01). The numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were also significantly decreased, respectively (P < 0.01), but the CD4+/CD8+ ratio was not changed. The number of CD45RO+ CD4+ memory T cells was significantly decreased. The number of CD25+ CD4+ T cells tended to decrease after LCAP therapy (not significant). However, the ratio of CD25+ CD4+-cells/CD25- CD4+-cells was significantly increased (P < 0.05). The number of IFN-gamma-positive (Th1) cells was significantly decreased after LCAP therapy, but there was no significant change in the number of IL-4-positive (Th2) cells. The Th1/Th2 ratio was significantly decreased after LCAP therapy. Some of the immuno-suppressive effects of LCAP therapy may be associated with a modulation of circulating T cell subsets.
...
PMID:Leukocytapheresis therapy modulates circulating t cell subsets in patients with ulcerative colitis. 1596 5

In the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) that affect dogs and cats there appears to be dysregulation of normal mucosal immunity, characterised by polyclonal lymphocytic infiltrates which are presumably specific for luminal antigens. There is an absence of a classical polarisation of either T-helper (Th) 1 or Th2 cytokine responses, although increased expression of mRNA for interleukin (IL) 2 and IL-12p40 and a shift towards mucosal immunoglobulin (Ig) G production are consistent findings, whilst variable responses are seen in tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-1, IL-4, IL-6, and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Increased mucosal permeability and deranged intestinal motility are common sequelae. Despite obvious similarities with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in humans, important differences exist. Of these, the diffuse superficial nature but with no Th1 or Th2 bias, and the prevalence of proximal small intestinal disease are notable. Potential hypotheses for these disparities include specific differences in the types or locations of agonistic gut flora, diffuse abnormalities in microbial-host interactions, a greater importance of diet, or anatomical or cellular differences in mucosal immune responses. Although specific pathogens and genetic susceptibilities may be involved, quantitative or qualitative changes in the normal flora or abnormal responses to a normal flora are more likely to be involved in the immunopathogenesis. Dietary influences include a large source of antigen, promotion of abnormal microbial growth through Maillard compounds within canned diets, and specific macro- and micronutrient deficiencies. Although dependent on a histopathological diagnosis, limitations of biopsies procured endoscopically, lack of histopathological standardisation and difficulty distinguishing inflammation from neoplasia remain significant problems. Clinician-pathologist dialogue, immunohistochemistry, cytokine profiling and lymphocyte clonality assessment may lead to more accurate diagnoses, a deeper understanding of the immunopathogenesis, and ultimately to new therapies or prevention of disease induction.
...
PMID:Chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract of companion animals. 1603 40

IL-13 is a Th2-derived cytokine associated with pathological changes in asthma and ulcerative colitis. Moreover, it plays a major role in the control of gut nematode infection and associated immunopathology. The current paradigm is that these effects are due to T cell-derived IL-13. We show in this study that an innate source of IL-13, the intraepithelial NK cell, is responsible for the disruption of intestinal tissue architecture and induction of goblet cell hyperplasia that characterizes infection with the intestinal helminth Trichinella spiralis. IL-13 or IL-4Ralpha (but not IL-4) null mice failed to induce intestinal pathology. Unexpectedly, SCID and athymic mice developed the same pathology found in immunocompetent mice following infection. Moreover, immunodeficient mice expressed IL-13 in the intestine, and abnormal mucosal pathology was reduced by in vivo administration of a soluble IL-13 antagonist. IL-13 expression was induced in non-T intraepithelial CD3- NK cells. Epithelial cells expressed the IL-13 signaling receptor, IL-13Ralpha1, and after infection, IL-4Ralpha. Furthermore, the soluble IL-13 decoy receptor IL-13Ralpha2, which regulates IL-13 responses, was also induced upon infection. These data provide the first evidence that intestinal tissue restructuring during helminth infection is an innate event dependent on IL-13 production by NK cells resident in the epithelium of the intestine.
...
PMID:Intraepithelial NK cell-derived IL-13 induces intestinal pathology associated with nematode infection. 1611 11

Despite all of the advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), we still do not know its cause. Some of the most recently available data are discussed in this review; however, this field is changing rapidly and it is increasingly becoming accepted that immunogenetics play an important role in the predisposition, modulation and perpetuation of IBD. The role of intestinal milieu, and enteric flora in particular, appears to be of greater significance than previously thought. This complex interplay of genetic, microbial and environmental factors culminates in a sustained activation of the mucosal immune and non-immune response, probably facilitated by defects in the intestinal epithelial barrier and mucosal immune system, resulting in active inflammation and tissue destruction. Under normal situations, the intestinal mucosa is in a state of 'controlled' inflammation regulated by a delicate balance of proinflammatory (tumour necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha, interferon [IFN]-gamma, interleukin [IL]-1, IL-6, IL-12) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, IL-11). The mucosal immune system is the central effector of intestinal inflammation and injury, with cytokines playing a central role in modulating inflammation. Cytokines may, therefore, be a logical target for IBD therapy using specific cytokine inhibitors. Biotechnology agents targeted against TNF, leukocyte adhesion, T-helper cell (T(h))-1 polarisation, T-cell activation or nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB, and other miscellaneous therapies are being evaluated as potential therapies for IBD. In this context, infliximab is currently the only biologic agent approved for the treatment of inflammatory and fistulising Crohn's disease. Other anti-TNF biologic agents have emerged, including CDP 571, certolizumab pegol (CDP 870), etanercept, onercept and adalimumab. However, ongoing research continues to generate new biologic agents targeted at specific pathogenic mechanisms involved in the inflammatory process. Lymphocyte-endothelial interactions mediated by adhesion molecules are important in leukocyte migration and recruitment to sites of inflammation, and selective blockade of these adhesion molecules is a novel and promising strategy to treat Crohn's disease. Therapeutic agents that inhibit leukocyte trafficking include natalizumab, MLN-02 and alicaforsen (ISIS 2302). Other agents being investigated for the treatment of Crohn's disease include inhibitors of T-cell activation, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, proinflammatory cytokine receptors and T(h)1 polarisation, and growth hormone and growth factors. Agents being investigated for treatment of ulcerative colitis include many of those mentioned for Crohn's disease. More controlled clinical trials are currently being conducted, exploring the safety and efficacy of old and new biologic agents, and the search certainly will open new and exciting perspectives on the development of therapies for IBD.
...
PMID:Biologic therapy for inflammatory bowel disease. 1626 94

Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity in colonic epithelial HT-29 cells is modulated by the T-cell-derived cytokines IL-4 and IL-13, but is not affected by IL-10 despite its effect in models of colitis. We studied the effects of these cytokines on nitric oxide (NO) production by colonic tissue. IL-10 and IL-4 but not IL-13 suppressed the NO production and iNOS expression by inflamed tissue and cytokine-stimulated noninflamed tissue from patients with ulcerative colitis, whereas the three cytokines suppressed NO production in cytokine-stimulated biopsies from controls. To examine why colonic biopsies and HT-29 cells respond differently to immunomodulatory cytokines, a coculture of mixed mononuclear monocytes (MMC) and HT-29 cells was studied. Treatment of HT-29 cells with conditioned medium from IFN-gamma/LPS-stimulated MMC produced significant amounts of NO, which suggested the presence of an MMC-derived soluble factor modifying epithelial NO production. Pretreatment of IFN-gamma/LPS-stimulated MMC with IL-10 and IL-4 but not IL-13 suppressed NO production by HT-29 cells. Interestingly, pretreatment of HT-29 cells with IL-1 receptor antagonist suppressed the IFN-gamma/LPS-stimulated MMC-induced NO production. These results suggest that immunomodulatory cytokines might exert an inhibitory effect on NO up-regulation by colonic epithelium via the inhibition of MMC-derived soluble mediators, such as IL-1.
...
PMID:Immunomodulatory cytokines suppress epithelial nitric oxide production in inflammatory bowel disease by acting on mononuclear cells. 1629 81

Colon cancer is one of the most serious complications of inflammatory bowel diseases, especially ulcerative colitis (UC). Previous studies have shown that characteristic immunological event during inflammation in UC is the expression of T helper-type 2 (Th2) cell-derived cytokines. In this study, we investigated the influence of a predominant Th2-type cytokine response in colitis on carcinogen-induced colon tumors. Wild type (WT), interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) gene deficient (-/-) [Th2 dominant] or interleukin (IL)-4(-/-) [Th1-dominant] mice of BALB/c background were used in this study. To compare tumor formation, mice were given the carcinogen azoxymethane (AOM) and intrarectal administration of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS), to induce colitis. Thirty-three weeks after initial treatment, the total colon was examined. When IFN-gamma(-/-) mice were treated with AOM and TNBS, significantly higher number of tumors were seen (8.4 +/- 1.7) than in WT (3.3 +/- 2.9) or IL-4(-/-) (3.1 +/- 3.4) mice, which received identical treatments. A separate set of experiment, using less doses of AOM and TNBS also showed the higher frequency of tumor formation in IFN-gamma(-/-) mice than in IL-4(-/-) mice. Histologically, the tumors were well- or moderately-differentiated adenocarcinomas. No invasion into the submucosal or serosal layers of the intestine was seen. In immunohistological staining, some tumors in IFN-gamma(-/-) mice showed distinct nuclear expression of beta-catenin, in contrast to the strong membrane staining seen in tumors of IL-4(-/-) mice. In conclusion, colonic inflammation associated with Th2-dominant cytokine responses enhanced the formation of malignant neoplasms.
...
PMID:Predominant T helper type 2-inflammatory responses promote murine colon cancers. 1633 25

The authors review advances about altered immunological cellular mechanisms in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The innate immune response might play a role in the inductive phase : epithelial barrier defect, production of inflammatory cytokines and defective neutrophil function. Dendritic cells have a pivotal role, since they sense the nature of the micro-organisms in the intestine in order to drive either adaptive immune responses through IL-12 or IL-4 and co-stimulatory molecules, or immunotolerance through regulatory T cells (Tr). T helper(Th)1 cytokines (IFNgamma, TNF-alpha, IL-12) are secreted in excess in Crohn's disease (CD) whereas in ulcerative colitis an atypical Th2 immune response (IL-4, TGFbeta) has been reported. However, activation of Th can only lead to effective immune response if co-stimulatory molecules expressed on activated T cells bind to their specific ligands on the antigen-presenting-cells, mesenchymal and endothe-, lial cells. This binding is necessary to generate an effective immune response, to enhance expression of adhesion molecules and T cell recruitment, promoting chronic inflammation in IBD. A defective function of Tr might contribute to excessive T cell response. Innate CD4 + CD25 + Tr derived from the thymus represent 5-10% of T cells in peripheral lymphoid organs. Acquired peripheral Tr downregulate the immune response through IL-10 and TGF-beta production. In IBD effector T cells might downregulate the development of Tr cells in the thymus. Another defective mechanism in CD is T cell resistance to apoptosis, leading to inappropriate immune homeostasis and accumulation of T cells in the tissues. New therapeutic agents have been proposed for correcting deficiencies of innate immunity or reducing excessive immune responses, with promising results confirmed by randomized controlled trials.
...
PMID:New insights into the cellular immunology of the intestine in relation to the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel diseases. 1734 83

The sphingosine-1-phosphate analogue FTY720 is known to alter migration and homing of lymphocytes via sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors. However, several studies indicate that its mode of action is more complex and that FTY720 may also directly influence cytokine effector functions. Therefore, we studied the effect of FTY720 in T helper type (Th2)-mediated oxazolone-induced colitis in mice. Following rectal oxazolone instillation, Th2 cells producing IL-13 induce a progressive colitis resembling human ulcerative colitis. A rectal enema of oxazolone [90 mg/kg body weight] was applied to BALB/c mice. FTY720 was administered i.p. from day 0 to 3 or from day 3 to 5 following the instillation of the haptenating agent. Assessment of severity of colitis was performed daily. FTY720 plasma levels were detected using LC-MS/MS-analysis. Colon tissue was analyzed macroscopically and microscopically, myeloperoxidase activity as well as cytokine levels of lamina propria CD4(+) T-cells and T1/ST2 expression were determined. Treatment with FTY720 prominently reduced the clinical and histopathologic severity of oxazolone-induced colitis, abrogating body weight loss, diarrhea, and macroscopic and microscopic intestinal inflammation. The therapeutic effects of FTY720 were associated with a prominent reduction of the key effector Th2 cytokines IL-13, IL-4 and IL-5. Strikingly, FTY720 inhibited GATA3 and T1/ST2 expression which represent highly relevant markers for Th2 differentiation and Th2 effector function, respectively. Our data provide the first evidence that FTY720 exhibits beneficial prophylactic as well as therapeutic effects in Th2-mediated experimental colitis by directly affecting Th2 cytokine profiles probably by reducing T1/ST2, thus offering a new auspicious therapeutic instrument for the treatment of human ulcerative colitis.
...
PMID:FTY720 ameliorates oxazolone colitis in mice by directly affecting T helper type 2 functions. 1747 30

There is conflicting evidence regarding the significance of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Involvement of the VIP receptor in IBD has not been reported. We examined the expression and localization of the VIP receptor in IBD. We determined the location of VIP receptor 1 (VIPR1) immunohistologically in surgically resected intestinal samples from 10 controls, 15 patients with ulcerative colitis, and 10 patients with Crohn's disease. A fluorescein-linked immunohistological study was performed using anti-VIPR1 antibody, with double-staining with antibodies to CD3, CD19, and CD68. Correlations with interleukin (IL)-4 and TNF-alpha expression were also investigated. Results showed that the number of VIPR1-positive cells was significantly increased in the inflammatory mucosa. VIPR1 was expressed in CD3-, CD19-, and CD68-positive cells. The proportion of VIPR1-positive cells among CD3-positive cells was significantly higher in the lamina propria of patients with ulcerative colitis than in those with Crohn's disease and the controls. The proportion of VIPR1-positive cells among CD68-positive cells was significantly higher in patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease than in the controls. A correlation between the numbers of VIPR1- and IL-4-positive cells was found in patients with ulcerative colitis, and between the numbers of VIPR1- and TNF-alpha-positive cells in patients with Crohn's disease. In conclusion, VIPR1 was widely expressed in infiltrating inflammatory cells, especially CD3- and CD68-positive cells in ulcerative colitis mucosa and CD68-positive cells in Crohn's disease mucosa. The differential expression of VIPR1 in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease mucosa suggests that the VIP system plays different roles in the pathogenesis of IBD.
...
PMID:Differential expression of vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor 1 expression in inflammatory bowel disease. 1761 33


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next >>