RESUMEN
Objective: To investigate the expression of chemokine MIP-3α and its receptor CCR6 in ulcerative colitis(UC) and to explore its relationship with the involvement and severity of UC, so as to asses their expression in the pathogenesis of UC. Methods: The expression of MIP-3α and CCR6 protein in the colon mucosa was detected by immunohistochemistry method in 35 UC patients and 20 normal controls. Results: MIP-3α and CCR6 were both positive in the UC group and negative or only weakly expressed in the normal control group. The expression of MIP-3α and CCR6 in the UC group was significantly higher than that in normal controls (P<0.01). The expression of MIP-3α and CCR6 was related to the severity and involvement of UC. The expression of MIP-3α was significantly correlated with that of CCR6(r=0.765,P<0.01). Conclusion: The expression of MIP-3α and CCR6 is positively correlated with each other, and both of them participate in the development and progression of UC. The interaction between the 2 may play an important role in the local damage and pathological changes in UC.