Changes in expression of β-tubulin isotypes in colonic mucosa in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases
The aim of the research was to establish the spectrum of changes in βI-, βII-, βIII-isotypes of tubulin expression in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The study was performed on biopsy fragments from 39 patients with IBD and 23 patients of control group. Expression was assessed in slides stained by immunohistochemistry as well as double immunofluorescence. Ulcerative coli- tis (UC) was characterized by increase in βI-tubulin and decline in βIII-tubulin levels in colonocytes while Crohn’s disease showed increase in levels of both isotypes. βII-tubulin expression was absent in epithelial cells. Presence of UC and reduced number of crypts has the greatest impact on βIII- tubulin expression in epithelium as well as surface epithelial flattening and presence of erosions are connected with a level of this isotype in stroma. Patients’ age over 65 years old and presence of dysplasia are factors which influence the level of βI-tubulin in colonocytes.