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  • Title: Connective tissue changes in ileal Crohn's disease: relationship to disease phenotype and ulcer-associated cell lineage.
    Author: Borley NR, Mortensen NJ, Kettlewell MG, George BD, Jewell DP, Warren BF.
    Journal: Dis Colon Rectum; 2001 Mar; 44(3):388-96. PubMed ID: 11289285.
    Abstract:
    PURPOSE: Abnormalities of enteric collagen and smooth-muscle cell content have been documented in Crohn's disease. We studied the relationships among connective tissue changes, disease "type," and other disease features using immunohistochemistry and image analysis. METHODS: Twenty consecutive ileal resections for Crohn's disease and ten normal terminal ileal specimens were evaluated using conventional histopathologic examination. Monoclonal antibodies to smooth-muscle actin and Type III collagen fibers were used to determine the percentage area of the submucosa occupied by these constituents using image analysis. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in smooth-muscle content among stenosed, perforated, and ulcerated specimens. There was a significantly increased submucosal Type III collagen content in stenosed vs. other types. The only factor that correlated with smooth-muscle cell content was the amount of ulcer-associated cell lineage present. CONCLUSIONS: Increased deposition of Type III collagen fibers rather than smooth-muscle proliferation is associated with a stenotic phenotype. Loss of Type III collagen fibers may play a role in the development of perforating complications. We have found no evidence that smooth-muscle cells are the source of Type III collagen fiber production although there is evidence that ulcer-associated cell lineage may be related to the stimulus leading to submucosal neomuscularization.
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