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Histological and Immunological Features of Appendix in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis

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Abstract

Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) have a less frequent prior history of appendectomy than the general population. The aim of the present investigation was to elucidate histological and immunological characteristics of the appendix in UC and to assess the effect of appendectomy on the disease. Nine subjects with mildly active UC were treated by surgical appendectomy. In four subjects, the histological findings of the appendix were compatible with ulcerative appendicitis. CD3+CD4+CD25+, CD3+CD4+CD45RO+, and CD3+CD8+CD45RO+ appendiceal mononuclear cells were significantly higher in UC than in acute appendicitis and in normal appendix. There was a trend towards higher mRNA transcripts of IFN-γ in the appendix of UC than those in other two groups. Clinical activity index decreased significantly four weeks after the appendectomy, although the effect was transient. The appendix is a site of involvement in UC, where mononuclear cells are presumed to be at a state of basal activation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

    Yukihiko Jo, Shinichiro Yada, Shotaro Nakamura & Mitsuo Iida

  2. Department of Endoscopic Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan

    Takayuki Matsumoto

  3. Anatomic Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

    Takashi Yao

  4. Surgerical Oncology, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

    Masayuki Hotokezaka & Ryuichi Mibu

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  1. Yukihiko Jo
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  2. Takayuki Matsumoto
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  3. Shinichiro Yada
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  4. Shotaro Nakamura
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  5. Takashi Yao
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  7. Ryuichi Mibu
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  8. Mitsuo Iida
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Jo, Y., Matsumoto, T., Yada, S. et al. Histological and Immunological Features of Appendix in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis. Dig Dis Sci 48, 99–108 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021742616794

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