[Intelukin-10 expression with immunorreglatory function in the mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis].

BACKGROUND

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an important immunoregulatory cytokine that acts on antigen presenting cells by the inhibiting both the synthesis of cytokines, co-stimulatory and HLA class II molecules.

OBJECTIVE

To study the gene and protein expression of IL-10 in the mucosa from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).

METHODS

We studied 40 patients with UC and 18 controls without endoscopic evidence of intestinal inflammation. From rectal biopsies was determined the gene expression of IL- 10 by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The detection of the protein in tissue was performed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

patients with UC in remission had significantly higher expression of il-10 gene in mucosa compared to the group of patients with active UC (p = 0.01) and the control group (p = 0.05). All patients with active UC had pancolitis, while patients in remission from distal inflammation, 16 had extra-intestinal manifestations and 23 had mild to moderate inflammation with less than one relapse within a year. Patients with UC in remission had significantly higher expression of IL-10 gene in mucosa compared with the group of patients with active UC (p = 0.01) or the control group (p = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of IL-10 gene is increased in colonic mucosa from patients with UC in remission, confirming that it is an immunoregulatory cytokine that promotes remission in patients with UC.