Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0022104 (irritable bowel syndrome)
 8,033 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease featuring infiltration by plasma cells producing immunoglobulins. We have reported previously the specific and significant proliferation of immature plasma cells in the inflamed colonic and pouch mucosa of UC patients. The aim of this study was to characterize peripheral blood immature plasma cells and the migration mechanisms of such immature plasma cells to inflamed sites in UC. The characteristics of peripheral blood immature plasma cells and chemokine receptor expression were examined by flow cytometry. Expression of mucosal chemokine was quantified using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. The number of peripheral blood immature plasma cells was significantly higher in patients with active UC and active Crohn's disease (CD) than in healthy controls. The proportion of immature plasma cells was correlated positively with clinical activities of UC and CD. Many peripheral blood immature plasma cells were positive for CXCR3, CXCR4, CCR9 and CCR10. Expression of CXCR3 and CXCR4 in UC patients was significantly higher than in controls. CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 mRNA levels in colonic mucosa of inflamed IBD were higher than in controls. Immunofluorescence study also showed abundant CXCR3-positive immature plasma cells in the inflamed colonic mucosa of UC. Increased numbers of immature plasma cells may migrate towards inflammatory sites of UC via the CXCR3 axis, and may participate in UC pathogenesis.
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PMID:Increased numbers of immature plasma cells in peripheral blood specifically overexpress chemokine receptor CXCR3 and CXCR4 in patients with ulcerative colitis. 2108 46

IBDs are characterized by increased influx of immune cells to the mucosa of genetically susceptible persons. Cellular migration to injury sites is mediated by chemokines. CXCL12 is a ubiquitous, constitutive chemokine that participates in stem cell proliferation and migration and mediates T lymphocyte migration to inflamed tissues. We have recently reported that CXCL12 and its receptor, CXCR4, are expressed in normal and more prominently, inflamed human intestinal mucosa. However, the interactions and roles of CXCL12 and its receptors, CXCR4 and the recently discovered CXCR7, in intestinal inflammation have not been defined. In the present study, we further dissected the effects of CXCL12 on lymphocytes in intestinal homeostasis and inflammation and delineated the interplay between CXCL12 and its receptors CXCR4 and CXCR7. To that end, fresh mononuclear cells were isolated from mucosa and PB of healthy or IBD patients. Phenotypical and functional assays were conducted using flow cytometry, Transwell migration chambers, and ELISA. The data show that CXCL12-mediated migration of T cells is CXCR4- but not CXCR7-dependent. T cell activation reciprocally regulates CXCR7 and CXCR4 expression and migratory capacity. IBD PBTs expressed more CXCR7 than normal PBTs. Finally, T cells attracted by CXCL12 are mostly of a memory phenotype. In conclusion, the present study suggests that the interplay between CXCL12 and its receptors affects homeostasis and inflammation in the intestinal mucosa.
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PMID:Reciprocal regulation of CXCR4 and CXCR7 in intestinal mucosal homeostasis and inflammatory bowel disease. 2162 33