Download Characterization of disease-causing dendritic cells in Crohn`s

M.Sarfati CCFC 2010
Project Title: Characterization of disease-causing dendritic cells in Crohn's disease
Lay Summary:
Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory intestinal disorder with no known cure. The
inflammation characteristic of CD can be found anywhere along the digestive tract, and is thought
to result from an inappropriate immune response in genetically-prone individuals. Its incidence is
rising in Canada, where its prevalence is said to be among the highest in the world. CD patients
experience severe symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting and diarrhea. The
currently available therapies for CD are often associated with serious side effects and highlight the
need for continued research in this field.
Dendritic cells (DCs) are a specialized cell type primarily located within tissues that are in contact
with the external environment, such as the gut. They participate in discriminating between
harmful and harmless external threats. Therefore, when dysregulated, DCs may misinterpret a
harmless encounter and initiate an immune response, leading to chronic intestinal inflammation.
We recently identified a subset of DCs (SIRP-α+ DCs), which promote intestinal inflammation in a
mouse model of CD. Therefore, the identification of the human counterpart of SIRPα+ DCs in mice
may contribute to our knowledge of the development of IBD. The purpose of this study is to
characterize these DCs in human intestinal tissue of CD and healthy patients. The study will also
compare the function of these DCs in blood and those isolated from intestinal tissues. Other than
extending our scientific knowledge of IBD, this work may translate into the development of new
therapeutic targets for IBD patients.