Abstract
This study was undertaken to clarify whether immunohistological detection of tenascin (TN), an extracellular matrix glycoprotein that is expressed during stromal remodelling, may allow a more precise diagnosis of collagenous colitis. We studied multiple colorectal biopsies specimens from 15 patients with clinically suspected collagenous colitis for TN expression by using a monoclonal antibody. Biopsies from further 15 patients without symptoms and signs of collagenous colitis served as controls. In seven of the 15 cases with clinically suspected collagenous colitis a prominent and selective subepithelial tenascin expression was identified. The TN expression pattern closely correlated with the conventional detection of a subepithelial collagen band diagnostic of collagenous colitis. The immunohistological labelling for TN allowed a quicker and more precise measurement of the thickness of the diagnostic collagen deposits than conventional staining. By this approach one further case could be reclassified as collagenous colitis. Our data show that immunohistological detection of TN allows a more correct and easy diagnosis of collagenous colitis.
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