Aim: To investigate the expression of TLR4 and NF-kappaB in ulcerative colitis (UC).
Methods: Colonic biopsy specimens were collected from active UC and controls. The expression of TLR4 and NF-kappaBp 65 were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and RT-PCR.
Results: RT-PCR revealed a significant increase of TLR4 and NF-kappaBp 65 antigen expression in colonic mucosa of UC compared with colonic mucosa of controls (TLR4: 143.658+/-33.870, 30.531+/-8.442, t=24.253, P<0.01; NF-kappaBp65: 185.773+/-37.625, 23.810+/-7.038, t=31.664, P<0.01). IHC show that the expression of TLR4 and NF-kappaB was significantly higher in colonic mucosa of UC compared with colonic mucosa of controls.
Conclusion: The expression of the TLR4 and NF-kappaB was increased in the colonic mucosa of UC compared with colonic mucosa of controls. It may be closely associated with the course of ulcerative colitis.