Defective Apoptosis in Intestinal and Mesenteric Adipose Tissue of Crohn’s Disease Patients
Authors: Núria Planell
Maria de Lourdes Setsuko Ayrizono
Marciane Milanski
Mariana Portovedo
Raquel Franco Leal
Lício Augusto Velloso
Vivian Horita
Cláudio Saddy Rodrigues Coy
Cilene Bicca Dias
Luciana Rodrigues Meirelles
Journal: PLoS ONE (2014)
Discipline: Multidisciplinary
Keywords: Crohn's disease; apoptosis; mesenteric adipose tissue; TUNEL assay; adipocytes
Affiliations: Coloproctology Unit, Surgery Department, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Cell Signaling, Internal Medicine Department, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Doctoral CAPES fellowship, Post graduate Program in Surgery Sciences, Faculty of Medical School, University of Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil., Laboratory of Cell Signaling, Internal Medicine Department, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil., Department of Pathology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil., Coloproctology Unit, Surgery Department, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil., Department of Gastroenterology and Bioinformatics Platform, CIBERehd, Barcelona, Spain., Coloproctology Unit, Surgery Department, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Cell Signaling, Internal Medicine Department, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Abstract:  Background: Crohn's disease (CD) is associated with complex pathogenic pathways involving defects in apoptosis mechanisms. Recently, mesenteric adipose tissue (MAT) has been associated with CD ethiopathology, since adipose thickening is detected close to the affected intestinal area. However, the potential role of altered apoptosis in MAT of CD has not been addressed. Aims: To evaluate apoptosis in the intestinal mucosa and MAT of patients with CD. Methods: Samples of intestinal mucosa and MAT from patients with ileocecal CD and from non-inflammatory bowel diseases patients (controls) were studied. Apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL assay and correlated with the adipocytes histological morphometric analysis. The transcriptional and protein analysis of selected genes and proteins related to apoptosis were determined. Results: TUNEL assay showed fewer apoptotic cells in CD, when compared to the control groups, both in the intestinal mucosa and in MAT. In addition, the number of apoptotic cells (TUNEL) correlated significantly with the area and perimeter of the adipose cells in MAT. Transcriptomic and proteomic analysis reveal a significantly lower transcript and protein levels of Bax in the intestinal mucosa of CD, compared to the controls; low protein levels of Bax were found localized in the lamina propria and not in the epithelium of this tissue. Furthermore, higher level of Bcl-2 and low level of Caspase 3 were seen in the MAT of CD patients. Conclusion: The defective apoptosis in MAT may explain the singular morphological characteristics of this tissue in CD, which may be implicated in the pathophysiology of the disease. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Fig. 5: More similar than expected. Could authors check please? ![file] ,