Lymphangiogenesis in Crohn’s disease: an immunohistochemical study using monoclonal antibody D2-40

• Published in: Virchows Archiv : an international journal of pathology Vol. 452; no. 1; pp. 57 - 63
• Main Authors: Pedica, F., Ligorio, C., Tonelli, P., Bartolini, S., Baccarini, P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01-01-2008; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Antibodies, Monoclonal - metabolism; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; Biological and medical sciences; Colitis, Ulcerative - metabolism; Colitis, Ulcerative - pathology; Colon - metabolism; Colon - pathology; Crohn Disease - metabolism; Crohn Disease - pathology; Female; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Humans; Ileum - metabolism; Ileum - pathology; Immunohistochemistry; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Lymphangiogenesis; Lymphatic Vessels - metabolism; Lymphatic Vessels - pathology; Male; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Original Article; Other diseases. Semiology; Pathology; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus; Inflammatory bowel disease; Immunohistochemistry; Lymphatic vessels; D2-40; Crohn’s disease; Lymphatic system; Lymphatic; Crohn's disease; Monoclonal antibody; Inflammatory disease; D2-40, Lymphatic vessels, Immunohistochemistry; Crohn disease; Anatomic pathology; Blood vessel; Digestive diseases; Intestinal disease; Circulatory system; Lymphangiogenesis; Ulcerative colitis
• ISSN: 0945-6317; 1432-2307
• DOI: 10.1007/s00428-007-0540-2

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disorder of unknown etiology. An involvement of the intestinal lymphatic system has been suggested. Recently, monoclonal antibodies have become available to distinguish lymphatic vessels from blood vessels. The aim of the study was to examine the distribution of lymphatic vessels in ileal and colic walls of patients affected by CD and compare it with healthy controls and other inflammatory bowel diseases. Twenty-eight cases of CD, 13 cases of other inflammatory bowel diseases, and 10 normal ileal and colic walls were studied. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using the monoclonal antibody D2-40. Quantification of lymphatic vessels was performed by identifying four fields with high density of lymphatics and then counting the number of lymphatic vessels at high resolution. Lymphatic diameter was also evaluated by using an ocular micrometer. Lymphatic vessels showed the highest density in CD specimens. The median number of lymphatics was significantly higher both in ileal and colic samples of CD than the other inflammatory diseases as well as normal controls. Moreover, in patients with CD, diffuse lymphangiectasia was also observed. The present data suggest that lymphangiogenesis and lymphangiectasia probably play a role in the pathogenesis of CD.