Altered expression of cell adhesion molecules in uninvolved gut in inflammatory bowel disease

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Abstract
SUMMARY: Adhesion of circulating cells to vascular endothelium occurs in the early phase orinfiammation, and is mediated by specific cell adhesion molecules. Many such adhesion molecules are increased in inflamed regions of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) but there is limited knowledge of their expression in the uninvolved gut, adjacent to inflammation. We investigated immunohisto-chemically the expression of platelet endoihelial cell adhesion moleculc-1 (PECAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-l (ICAM-l)and lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1.) on resected specimens taken at a distance of 2-4 cm from the inflamed area and without histological signs of inflammation. Compared with normal gut. we found (i) a significant increase of PECAM-1-positive vessels in the mucosa of uninvolved UC (149.0 ± 24.1 vesscls/mm2 (mean ± s.d.); normal colon = 123.1 ± 21.6; P= 0.004); (ii)a significant decrease of ICAM-1-positive vessels in uninvolved CD (111.9 ± 22.6 vessels/mm2 normal ileum = 136.9 ± 27.6; P=0.04); and (iii) a moderate but statistically insignificant increase of LFA-1 -positive cells in the mucosa of uninvolved UC and Crohn's ileitis. This altered expression of cell adhesion molecules may contribute to the early lesion in inflammatory bowel disease and provide new therapeutic opportunities.