Abstract
Objective To investigate the effects of regulatory B (Breg) cells and T helper 17 (Th17) cells on pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis, explore the clinical significance of Breg/Th17 ratio on the prognosis of ulcerative colitis, and provide the theoretical basis for the targeted therapy, diagnosis, and prognosis of the disease. Methods Peripheral blood and colonic mucosa were collected from patients with ulcerative colitis. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the pathological changes of colonic mucosa. Flow cytometry was utilized to analyze the percentages of Breg cells and Th17 cells. Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were applied to determine the expression of Breg cells-related cytokines IL-10 and Th17 cell transcription factor RORγT. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to detect serum IL-10 and IL-17 levels. Results The colonic mucosa of ulcerative colitis patients presented massive inflammatory cell infiltration and hemorrhagic necrosis. The number of Breg cells and Th17 cells, the gene expressions of IL-10 and RORγT, and serum levels of IL-10 and IL-17 all increased in peripheral blood. Compared with nonremission group, the remission group showed that the percentage of Breg cells reduced, the percentage of Th17 cells increased, and thus the B10/Th17 ratio was significantly decreased in peripheral blood. In addition, serum IL-10 levels diminished, IL-17 levels increased, and thus IL-10/IL-17 ratio was remarkably reduced in remission group. B10/Th17 ratio and IL-10/IL-17 ratio were positively correlated with the severity of disease. Conclusions Breg and Th17 cells participate in the occurrence and development of ulcerative colitis. B10/Th17 ratio and IL-10/IL-17 ratio can be used as prognostic markers for ulcerative colitis. This provides a theoretical basis for design of targeted treatment and prognosis assessment of the disease.
Highlights
Ulcerative colitis is a recurrent chronic immune disease
A small number of inflammatory cell infiltrations and bleeding were visible in colonic mucosa; edema was remarkably lessened compared with ulcerative colitis patients
Our results found that peripheral blood B10/T helper 17 (Th17) ratio was positively correlated with Mayo in ulcerative colitis patients (r = 0.758, P < 0.05) (Figure 6(a))
Summary
Ulcerative colitis is a recurrent chronic immune disease. After the drug-induced remission, the symptoms and pathological examinations of the patients can be relieved to a great extent, but the condition still occurs again. In the treatment of ulcerative colitis, the induced remission can reduce the risk of ulcerative colitis-induced cancer [1]. Many serum [2, 3] and fecal [4, 5] markers have been applied to evaluate the prognosis of ulcerative colitis. Regions of the intestinal mucosal inflammation, disease status, and drug administration can cause changes in these indicators [6, 7]. Reliable biological markers are urgently needed for the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and the evaluation of the disease prognosis
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