Abstract
The adhesion molecule, lymphocyte function associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) consisting of two subunits, CD11a and CD18, mediates lymphocyte migration into tissue and cell effector functions. Previous observations showed no differences in LFA-1 expression by circulating lymphocytes between inflammatory bowel disease patients and controls. The aim of the present work was to study subsets of circulating LFA-1+ lymphocytes in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients versus healthy controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from 16 UC patients and 10 healthy volunteers. The percentages of CD11a(lo), CD11a(hi); CD18(lo), CD18(hi) T and B cells, as well as CD25 expression on these cells were studied using double staining with monoclonal antibodies and panning procedures. The percentage of CD11(hi) and CD18(hi) T cells was significantly decreased in quiescent UC patients as compared to active disease patients and healthy controls (P < 0.05). The majority of CD25+ T cells were expressing CD11a and CD18 with low density. A detectable percentage, 2% (range 1-6%), of CD11a(hi)CD25+ (but not CD18(hi)CD25+) was found in UC patients with moderate to severe disease, but not in those with inactive UC or healthy controls. In conclusion, the percentage of CD11a(hi+) and CD18(hi+) T cells is decreased in peripheral blood of quiescent UC patients, which is probably associated with the effect of specific treatment. The percentage of CD11a(hi+)IL-2Rα+ T cells is increased in peripheral blood of patients with active (moderate and severe) UC, which most likely reflects a sustained T-cell activation due to a persistent inflammatory process.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Digestive Diseases and Sciences |
| Volume | 41 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Pages (from-to) | 670-676 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| ISSN | 0163-2116 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 14 May 1996 |
Keywords
- adhesion molecules
- lymphocyte function associated antigen-1
- ulcerative colitis