Gut mucosal lymphocytes in inflammatory bowel disease: isolation and preliminary functional characterization.

We have developed an enzymatic technique for isolating human intestinal mucosal lymphoid cells. This method was found to be superior to mechanical methods in regard to cell yield and survival. It is based on treating mucosa with serum-free solutions containing collagenase and deoxyribonuclease, followed by isolating the lymphoid cells through centrifugation steps involving fetal calf serum and ficoll-hypaque.

Pseudoobstruction in ceroidosis.

Diffuse deposition of ceroid pigment in the muscularis propria of the gastrointestinal tract in a patient with a long history of malabsorption of unknown origin is reported. The depostion of this waste pigment is not reversible and is related to prolonged depletion of vitamin E. Progressive dilatation and hypomotility of the entire gastrointestinal tract are demonstrated by radiographic studies and possibly related to infiltrate of ceroid pigment in the smooth muscle cell with resulting functional impairment.