Increased expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha messenger RNA in the intestinal mucosa of inflammatory bowel disease, particularly in patients with disease in the inactive phase

J Gastroenterol. 2002;37(5):345-53. doi: 10.1007/s005350200048.

Abstract

Background: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), may be involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of TNF-alpha on the inflammatory activity of IBD.

Methods: TNF-alpha mRNA expression in intestinal mucosal biopsy specimens from IBD patients [ulcerative colitis (UC), n = 54; and Crohn's disease (CD), n = 11] was analyzed using a competitive polymerase chain reaction. The degree of macrophage infiltration was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, using an antihuman CD68 antibody.

Results: TNF-alpha mRNA expression was increased in UC patients, corresponding to the inflammatory activity. However, in CD, TNF-alpha mRNA expression was not correlated with the endoscopic findings.

Conclusions: We clarified that TNF-alpha mRNA expression was responsible for the inflammatory activity in UC. However, TNF-alpha mRNA expression was not correlated with the mucosal injury in CD.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antigens, CD / analysis*
  • Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / analysis*
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / metabolism*
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / pathology
  • Crohn Disease / metabolism*
  • Crohn Disease / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism*
  • Intestinal Mucosa / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic
  • CD68 antigen, human
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha