AIMS

To determine mRNA expression of telomeric binding proteins in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and to note any effects of pharmacotherapy on telomere binding protein expression.

METHODS

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from 31 IBD patients and 13 controls were activated with phytohaemagglutinin and purified to yield activated (CD25+) T lymphocytes. TPP1, POT1, RAP1, TRF1 and TRF2 mRNA expression in PBMC and activated T lymphocytes was measured with RT-PCR.

RESULTS

In activated (CD25+) T lymphocytes, mean TRF2 mRNA levels were lower in both UC (6.6 vs 10, p=0.004) and CD subjects (6.9 vs 10; p=0.004). Similarly. in activated (CD25+) T lymphocytes mean RAP1 mRNA expression was significantly lower in UC subjects (4.5 vs 9.8, p=0.029) but not in CD subjects. In resting PBMC, mean TRF1 mRNA levels were lower in both UC (2.6 vs 3.5; p=0.008) and CD subjects (1.0 vs 3.5; p=0.04). No difference in PBMC and activated (CD25+) T lymphocytes mRNA levels of TPP1 and POT1 were noted in either UC or CD subjects. An association with 5-aminosalicylate therapy (R(2)=0.4) was only detected with RAP1 mRNA expression. TRF2 mRNA expression was inversely associated with disease duration only in UC subjects (p=0.05; R(2)=-0.6).

CONCLUSIONS

The downregulation of TRF2 and RAP1 mRNA expression in CD25+ T-lymphocytes in IBD suggests that these telomere binding proteins play a role in telomere regulation and may contribute to the telomeric fusions and chromosomal abnormalities observed in UC. These findings may also indicate a systemic process of telomere uncapping which could represent a biomarker for IBD associated cancer risk.