BACKGROUND: Involvement of the lymphatic system in @entity29 ( @entity29 ) has been suggested. AIMS: To examine the density and distribution of lymphatic vessels (LV) within inflamed and non-inflamed wall sections of @entity29 @entity1 compared with controls, and to evaluate expression of major lymphangiogenic factors. METHODS: Ileal and colon specimens of 22 @entity1 with @entity30 ( @entity30 ), 16 @entity1 with @entity31 ( @entity31 ) and 11 controls were studied. Quantification of LV was performed using immunohistochemistry with podoplanin and D2-40 antibodies on seven randomly selected fields. Mucosal expression of podoplanin and lymphangiogenic factor mRNA was measured using PCR. RESULTS: In @entity30 @entity1 , lymphatic density was significantly increased in non-inflamed and inflamed ileal (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001) and @entity353 compared to controls. Podoplanin mRNA levels were similar in @entity33 and controls, whereas a four- and sixfold increase was seen in inflamed ileal and colonic areas (P < 0.05). In @entity31 , lymphatic density increased fourfold in non-inflamed (P < 0.001) and fivefold in inflamed colonic mucosa (P < 0.001) compared with controls. An increase in podoplanin mRNA levels was seen in both non-inflamed and inflamed areas (P < 0.01) compared with controls. In @entity30 and @entity31 , lymphatics were found throughout the inflamed mucosa, including the upper half of the lamina propria. Expression of lymphangiogenic factors was similar in @entity1 and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Increased density of lymphatic vessels is a constant feature of @entity29 and is present in non-inflamed areas. It is transmural in @entity30 and confined to the mucosa in @entity31 . Its origin remains unclear.

Increased lymphatic vessel density and lymphangiogenesis in XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity353 :: ('MESH:D015431', 'Disease') :: ['colonic (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001) mucosa'] @entity31 :: ('MESH:D003093', 'Disease') :: ['ulcerative colitis', 'UC'] @entity33 :: ('MESH:D052016', 'Disease') :: ['non-inflamed mucosal areas'] @entity29 :: ('MESH:D015212', 'Disease') :: ['inflammatory bowel disease', 'IBD'] @entity30 :: ('MESH:D003424', 'Disease') :: ['CD', "Crohn's disease"]
@entity29 :: (MESH:D015212,Disease) :: ['inflammatory bowel disease']
