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Comparative Study
. 2009 Jun;58(6):777-89.
doi: 10.1136/gut.2008.149096. Epub 2009 Feb 6.

Transforming growth factor beta signalling and matrix metalloproteinases in the mucosa overlying Crohn's disease strictures

A Di Sabatino  1 , C L Jackson, K M Pickard, M Buckley, L Rovedatti, N A B Leakey, L Picariello, P Cazzola, G Monteleone, F Tonelli, G R Corazza, T T MacDonald, S L Pender
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Transforming growth factor beta signalling and matrix metalloproteinases in the mucosa overlying Crohn's disease strictures

A Di Sabatino et al. Gut. 2009 Jun.

Abstract

Background and aims: In addition to its crucial role in dampening tissue-damaging immune responses in the gut, transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) is a potent profibrogenic agent inducing collagen synthesis and regulating the balance between matrix-degrading matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs). TGFbeta signalling was investigated by analysis of Smad proteins and MMPs/TIMPs in the mucosa overlying strictures in patients with Crohn's disease (CD).

Methods: Specimens were collected from macroscopically normal mucosa overlying strictured and non-strictured gut of patients with fibrostenosing CD. Isolated myofibroblasts were cultured with anti-TGFbeta blocking antibody or TGF beta 1. TGFbeta transcripts were analysed by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). Smad proteins and MMPs were determined by immunoblotting. MMP-12 activity was measured by a real-time MMP-12 activity assay. An in vitro wound-healing scratch assay was used to assess myofibroblast migration.

Results: TGFbeta transcripts, phosphorylated Smad2-Smad3 (pSmad2-3) and TIMP-1 proteins were higher in mucosa overlying strictures than in mucosa overlying non-strictured areas. In contrast, mucosa overlying strictured gut had lower expression of Smad7, MMP-12 and MMP-3. Myofibroblasts from mucosa overlying strictured gut showed higher TGFbeta transcripts, a greater pSmad2-3 response to TGFbeta, increased TIMP-1, lower Smad7, increased collagen production and reduced migration ability compared with myofibroblasts from mucosa overlying non-strictured gut. TGFbeta blockade increased myofibroblast MMP-12 production and migration, more obviously in myofibroblasts isolated from mucosa overlying non-strictured compared with strictured gut.

Conclusions: Changes in TGF-beta signalling and MMP production were identified in the mucosa overlying strictures in CD which may give a window into the process of fibrosis.

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