%0 Journal Article %J Pathology %D 2011 %T Gastrointestinal Foxp3 expression in normal, inflammatory and neoplastic conditions. %A Villanacci, Vincenzo %A Not, Tarcisio %A Nascimbeni, Riccardo %A Ferrara, Fortunato %A Tommasini, Alberto %A Manenti, Stefania %A Antonelli, Elisabetta %A Bassotti, Gabrio %K Adult %K Aged %K Celiac Disease %K Cell Count %K Disease Progression %K Esophagitis %K Female %K Forkhead Transcription Factors %K Gastric Mucosa %K Gastritis %K Humans %K Inflammatory Bowel Diseases %K Lymphocytes %K Male %K Middle Aged %K Precancerous Conditions %K Stomach Diseases %K Stomach Neoplasms %K Young Adult %X

BACKGROUND: Foxp3(+) regulatory T lymphocytes (T-regs) represent an important regulatory cell subset in inflammatory, preneoplastic and neoplastic conditions of the gastrointestinal tract.

METHODS: Inflammatory, preneoplastic and neoplastic conditions of the gastrointestinal tract (189 cases) were studied with the evaluation of Foxp3 regulatory T cells based on immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS: Few Foxp3(+) cells were found in controls and inflammatory conditions (oesophagitis, gastritis, coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease); in preneoplastic and neoplastic conditions the number of Foxp3(+) cells was significatively increased.

CONCLUSIONS: In normal conditions the number of mucosal lymphocytes is very low throughout the gastro-intestinal tract; in active coeliac disease patients or on a gluten-free diet, only a slight increase in Foxp3(+) cells may be found. Gastrointestinal cancers are associated with higher Foxp3(+) cell proportion, compared with microscopically normal tissue and with precancerous conditions. However, it is uncertain whether the increase in these regulatory cells is a cause or a consequence of tumour progression.

%B Pathology %V 43 %P 465-71 %8 2011 Aug %G eng %N 5 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21670722?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1097/PAT.0b013e3283485e37