Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and normal intestinal lymphocytes express integrins in dissimilar patterns

Abstract

Background/Aims: The integrin family of adhesion molecules on intestinal lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMNC) was studied using fluorescence-activated cell cytometry. These molecules are implicated in extravascular cell migration and are important regulators of disease. Methods: Using fluorescence-activated cell cytometry, B- and T-cell subsets in the intestines of 10 normal patients, 11 patients with Crohn's disease, and 8 patients with ulcerative colitis were stained with monoclonal antibodies to a panel of integrins. Results: Expression of α integrins on CD3+ T cells and CD19+ B cells was different in normal and inflammatory bowel disease LPMNC. Ulcerative colitis T cells expressed less β1 and α4 and significantly more α2 and α6. There was a difference in α4 and β1 expression between LPMNC B cells from Crohn's disease and normal intestines. Sixteen percent of CD19+ LPMNC B cells from Crohn's and 19% of ulcerative colitis LPMNC expressed α2. Crohn's and ulcerative colitis CD19+ LPMNC B cells expressed more α5 integrin than normal specimens. CD3+ T cells and CD19+ B cells expressed α6 only in ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease CD19+ LPMNC expressed less α4, consistent with their reciprocal increases of α5 and α2. A difference in β7 (Peyer's patch specific) antigen was observed between inflammatory bowel disease and normal LPMNC for both CD3+ and CD19+ LPMNC. Conclusions: These findings identify the differences of lymphocyte homing capability in inflammatory bowel disease and normal intestine.