CROHNS-DISEASE, ULCERATIVE-COLITIS, AND NORMAL INTESTINAL LYMPHOCYTES EXPRESS INTEGRINS IN DISSIMILAR PATTERNS

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 alpha integrins on CD3(+) T cells and CD19(+) B cells was different in normal and inflammatory bowel disease LPMNC. Ulcerative colitis T cells expressed less beta 1 and alpha 4 and significantly more alpha 2 and alpha 6. There was a difference in alpha 4 and beta 1 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 alpha 2. Crohn's and ulcerative colitis CD19(+) LPMNC B cells expressed more alpha 5 integrin than normal specimens. CD3(+) T cells and CD19(+) B cells expressed alpha 6 only in ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease CD19(+) LPMNC expressed less alpha 4, consistent with their reciprocal increases of alpha 5 and alpha 2. A difference in beta 7 (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.