| Theme |
Intestinal mucosal immunology update for clinician |
| Title |
Role of mesenchymal cells in the pathogenesis of IBD |
| Author |
Akira Andoh |
Division of Mucosal Immunology, Graduate School, Shiga University of Medical Science |
| [ Summary ] |
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) ; ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), is characterized by ongoing mucosal inflammation in which a dysfunction of the host immunologic response against dietary factors and bacteria are involved. The chronic inflammatory process leads to the disruption of the epithelial barrier and formation of epithelial ulceration. Resolution of inflammatory activity is associated with repair processes that facilitate tissue remodeling which restores normal intestinal architecture. Repair processes in UC patients are often effective in restoring a normal mucosal architecture, but stricture formation associated with excess fibrosis frequently occurs in CD patients. Fibrosis is typically associated with mesenchymal cell hyperplasia, tissue disorganization and fibrillar collagen deposition. Transient appearance of mesenchymal cells is a feature of normal wound healing, but the persistence of these cells is associated with excessive collagen deposition and fibrosis. Recent studies suggest that mesenchymal cells play a crucial role in the process of intestinal repair and fibrosis. |