Apelin expression is downregulated in T cells in a murine model of chronic colitis.

Apelin (APL), an endogenous ligand for APJ, has been reported to be upregulated in a murine model of acute colitis induced by sodium dextran sulfate, as well as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in humans. However, the mechanisms and functions of APL/APJ axis in the pathogenesis of IBD are unclear. We herein analyzed CD4 T cells to determine the functions of APL in a murine model of chronic colitis induced in Rag deficient mice (Rag).

B cell activation in the cecal patches during the development of an experimental colitis model.

Although previous studies have suggested that appendix seems to be involved in the colitis, the role of this in the pathogenesis remains unclear. In this study, we assessed the importance of appendiceal lymphoid follicles, specifically the cecal patches (CP) in mice, using an experimental colitis model. Treatment with oxazolone resulted in ulcerations particularly at CP with follicular expansion as well as colitis.