Methyltransferase G9A regulates T cell differentiation during murine intestinal inflammation.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathogenesis is associated with dysregulated CD4⁺ Th cell responses, with intestinal homeostasis depending on the balance between IL-17-producing Th17 and Foxp3⁺ Tregs. Differentiation of naive T cells into Th17 and Treg subsets is associated with specific gene expression profiles; however, the contribution of epigenetic mechanisms to controlling Th17 and Treg differentiation remains unclear. Using a murine T cell transfer model of colitis, we found that T cell-intrinsic expression of the histone lysine methyltransferase G9A was required for development of pathogenic T cells and intestinal inflammation.

Peritoneal ports for treatment of intractable ascites.

Purpose: To present clinical data for a new peritoneal port for minimally invasive treatment of intractable ascites that can be used for aspiration in a patient's home.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-eight consecutive peritoneal ports were placed in 27 patients with intractable ascites. Ascites etiology was malignancy in 22 patients, cirrhosis in three, pancreatic duct injury in one, and unknown in one.