CXC and CC chemokine expression in inflamed and noninflamed pelvic ileal pouch tissue

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Pouchitis is the major long-term complication after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) in patients operated on for ulcerative colitis. The cause is unknown, but both the history of ulcerative colitis and increased bacterial concentration are important factors. Chemokines are mediators for the recruitment of inflammatory cells to the site of inflammation. This study examined the tissue expression of a panel of specific chemokines and the corresponding recruitment of inflammatory cells in IPAA tissue with and without inflammation and after antibiotic treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Biopsy specimens postoperatively from ulcerative colitis patients with IPAA were obtained by endoscopy. Biopsies were taken from 8 patients with noninflamed IPAA and from 14 patients with an episode of acute pouchitis, before and after antibiotic treatment. Biopsies were stained for CD68, CD3, elastase, eotaxin, IP-10, MCP-1, MCP-3, and IL-8 and analyzed by NIH Image analyzer. RESULTS: Expression of IL-8, MCP-1, MCP-3, and IP-10 was significantly higher in pouchitis than normal pouch. The expression of MCP-1, MCP-3 and IP-10 were significantly lower after antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSION: These data support the importance of chemokines for the leukocyte recruitment in pouch tissue during acute pouchitis.