Lymphoglandular complexes in the diseased colon.

Abstract

THE lymphoglandular complexes (LGC) of 41 colons resected for a variety of diseases, were studied by routine light microscopy and immuno-histochemistry. Mucin production in the epithelium and cell numbers and subsets within the lymphoid aggregates were assessed and the results compared with data derived from 27 normal colons. Neither the volume nor type of mucin elaborated by LCG epithelium in diseased colons differed from normal. In LGC of colons resected for carcinoma suppressor T-lymphocytes (Leu 2a+) were increased whereas in diverticular disease both B-lymphocytes (B1+) and T-helper lymphocytes (Leu 3a+) were elevated with a reduction in T-suppressor numbers. All these deviations from normal were statistcally significant (p<0.0001). In colons resected for ulcerative colitis B-lymphocyte numbers were reduced and T-suppressor numbers were increased in LGC of all regions, irrespective of their proximity to areas of inflammation. In Crohn’s colitis B-lymphocyte numbers were increased in to be elucidated. It is clear, however, that colons affected by diverticulosis or carcinoma cannot be used as ‘normal’ control material for study of the colonic lymphoid tissue in inflammatory bowel disease.