In a recent study published in Nature Immunology , researchers investigated whether stem-like T lymphocytes are involved in ulcerative colitis (UC) pathogenesis. UC is an inflammatory illness presenting with T-lymphocyte-mediated inflammation frequently provoked by microbial antigens. Despite the success of authorized medications, many patients do not react, indicating that existing treatments may not sufficiently target pathogenic immunological cell types and their effector chemicals.
Studies have identified significant links between particular colonic T lymphocyte subsets and ulcerative colitis, with some indicating the role of homologous types of T lymphocytes in disease pathogenesis. Recent investigations in murine autoimmune illness models have revealed stem-type autoimmune progenitor helper T lymphocytes secreting cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4+) and cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes that express T cell factor 1 (TCF1). The present study researchers explored stem-like T lymphocyte involvement in UC pathophysiology.
The researchers acquired UC patient samples from endoscopically inflamed sigmoid colonic tissue and more proximal non-inflamed colonic tissue with no known impacted tissue when accessible. They also collected sigmoid colon samples from individuals in remission from locations of past inflammation. Samples were obtained from healthy controls with no gastrointestinal signs and symptoms and underwent endoscopic examinations for prior colonic polyps or iron deficien.
