The expression and role of DNA methyltrsansferase 3a in colonic mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis / 中华消化杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the association between DNA methyltrsansferase 3a (DNMT3a) expression and interleukin-4 (IL-4),interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in mononuclear cells of colonic laminapropriamucosae in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients.Methods From November 2009 to March 2010,sixty colonic mucosa biopsy specimens through colon scopy were collected,specimens of active UC or normal controls were 30 in each group.The expression of DNMT3a,IL-4,and IFN-γ was detected with immunohistochemical method (SABC) in mononuclear cells of colonic laminapropriamucosae,and their relation with different degrees of colonic inflammatory response was analyzed.Results The positive expression rate of DNMT3a,IL-4,IFN-γ in mononuclear cells of colonic laminapropriamucosae in active UC group was significant higher than that in control group and there were statistically significant differences (x2 =16.596,P=0.000;x2 =42.857,P=0.000;x2 =6.667,P=0.024;).The expression of them was higher in sever inflammatory response than that in mild inflammatory response,and its expression intensity increased as inflammatory activity became more severe.There was positive correlation between IL-4,IFN-γ and DNMT3 expression in UC group (r=0.46,P=0.01 ;r=0.559,P=0.001).Conclusions The expression of DNMT3a,IL-4 and IFN-γ is associated with the degree of colonic inflammatory response.DNA methylation maybe involved in Th1/Th2 immune balance regulation in UC pathogenesis.