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World J Gastroenterol. Jan 14, 2006; 12(2): 302-305
Published online Jan 14, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i2.302
Involvement of lymphocytes in dextran sulfate sodium-induced experimental colitis
Tae Woon Kim, Jae Nam Seo, Young Ho Suh, Hyo Jin Park, Ju Hyun Kim, Ji Young Kim, Kwon Ik Oh
Tae Woon Kim, Jae Nam Seo, Ju Hyun Kim, Ji Young Kim, Kwon Ik Oh, Department of Pathology, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea
Young Ho Suh, Division of Metabolic Diseases, Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Institute of Health, Seoul, Korea
Hyo Jin Park, Graduate Program of Immunology and Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
Supported by Hallym University Research Fund, 2004, No. HRF-2004 -44
Correspondence to: Kwon Ik Oh, Department of Pathology, Hallym University College of Medicine, 39 Hallymdaehak-Gil, Chuncheon-Si, Gangwon-Do 200-702, Korea. kwonik@hallym.ac.kr
Telephone: +82-33-248-2564 Fax: +82-33-241-8250
Received: June 17, 2005
Revised: June 18, 2005
Accepted: June 24, 2005
Published online: January 14, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the roles of lymphocytes in the development of dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis.

METHODS: Using various doses of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), we induced colitis in wild-type B6 control and Rag-1 knockout (H-2b haplotype) mice, and evaluated the colitis in terms of symptomatic and histologic parameters, such as weight loss, survival, severity of diarrhea, shortage of colon length and histological changes. Symptomatic parameters were checked daily and histological changes were scored.

RESULTS: Although development of colitis in Rag-1 knockout mice treated with high dose (5%) of DSS was comparable to that in B6 control mice, colitis progression was much more tolerable in Rag-1 knockout mice compared to than in B6 mice treated with low dose (1.5%) DSS. Symptomatic parameters as well as histopathologic changes were improved in Rag-1 knockout mice.

CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the presence of lymphocytes contributes to colitis progression at low dose of DSS stimulation. Lymphocytes may play roles as an aggravating factor in DSS-induced colitis.

Keywords: Dextran sulfate sodium, Colitis, Lymphocyte, Rag-1, Knockout