Ulcerative colitis

Loss of intestinal core 1-derived O -glycans causes spontaneous colitis in mice Fu, J. et al. J. Clin. Invest. doi: 10.1172/JCI45538

A key component of the gel layer of the gut epithelium, mucin-type O-linked oligosaccharides (O-glycans) are thought to be involved in the etiology of ulcerative colitis. Mice with intestinal epithelial cells specifically deficient in core 1-derived O-glycans develop spontaneous colitis. Induced deletion of O-glycans also caused spontaneous colitis in adult mice. These data could represent a new molecular mechanism for the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis.

IBD

Neutralizing antibodies against adeno-associated viruses in inflammatory bowel disease patients: implications for gene therapy van der Marel, S. et al. Inflamm. Bowel Dis. doi:10.1002/ibd.21673

Adeno-associated viruses are a potential vector for gene therapy for patients with IBD. Researchers have demonstrated that levels of neutralizing antibodies, which would block transduction, are low in patients with IBD. However, there are variations between patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, the age of disease onset also effects the level of antibodies.

Pancreas

Islet autotransplantation after extended pancreatectomy for focal benign disease of the pancreas Ris, F. et al. Transplantation doi: 10.1097/TP.0b013e31820f0892

Islet autotransplantation can stop the development of surgical diabetes in patients who have undergone extended pancreatectomy to treat benign disease, such as chronic pancreatitis or a benign tumor. In 25 patients who received this therapy, there were no deaths and morbidity was low (bacterial infection in one patient), which suggests that islet autotransplantation is safe and effective in these patients.

Crohn's disease

Infliximab therapy inhibits inflammation-induced angiogenesis in the mucosa of patients with Crohn's disease Rutella, S. et al. Am. J. Gastroenterol. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2011.48

Patients with Crohn's disease have a higher density of microvessels in their gut mucosa than healthy individuals. Of 14 patients with Crohn's disease who were treated with infliximab, eight showed clinical remission. A reduction in the microvascular density was only seen in the patients who responded to infliximab. The concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor A was also reduced in these patients, which might contribute to the therapeutic efficacy of infliximab.