BACKGROUND: Elevated serum levels of several potent angiogenesis factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor have been described in children with active inflammatory bowel disease. Angiogenesis-promoting cytokines may promote inflammation by increasing vascular permeability but also mediate tissue repair by activating fibroblasts. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is another angiogenesis-promoting cytokine that is increased in colon cancer tissues. We therefore evaluated serum HGF levels in individuals with Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis. METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from 60 patients with Crohn disease, 31 with ulcerative colitis, and 38 controls with functional abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal illnesses. Disease activity for Crohn disease patients was determined using the pediatric Crohn disease activity index, and for ulcerative colitis patients using the Kozarek score. The HGF levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Serum HGF levels were significantly ( P < 0.001) higher for Crohn disease patients (1439 +/- 84 pg/mL) and ulcerative colitis patients (1384 +/- 107 pg/mL) than for control patients (807 +/- 50 pg/mL). Serum HGF levels also rose with increasing disease activity in individuals with both Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis. CONCLUSION: Serum HGF is elevated in children and young adults who have Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis. Levels of serum HGF correlate directly with disease activity. The raised serum HGF suggests that HGF may mediate angiogenesis and vascular permeability in the mucosa of children with inflammatory bowel disease. Alternatively, the raised serum HGF may be an epiphenomenon of inflammation.
BACKGROUND: Elevated serum levels of several potent angiogenesis factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor have been described in children with active inflammatory bowel disease. Angiogenesis-promoting cytokines may promote inflammation by increasing vascular permeability but also mediate tissue repair by activating fibroblasts. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is another angiogenesis-promoting cytokine that is increased in colon cancer tissues. We therefore evaluated serum HGF levels in individuals with Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis. METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from 60 patients with Crohn disease, 31 with ulcerative colitis, and 38 controls with functional abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal illnesses. Disease activity for Crohn diseasepatients was determined using the pediatric Crohn disease activity index, and for ulcerative colitispatients using the Kozarek score. The HGF levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Serum HGF levels were significantly ( P < 0.001) higher for Crohn diseasepatients (1439 +/- 84 pg/mL) and ulcerative colitispatients (1384 +/- 107 pg/mL) than for control patients (807 +/- 50 pg/mL). Serum HGF levels also rose with increasing disease activity in individuals with both Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis. CONCLUSION: Serum HGF is elevated in children and young adults who have Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis. Levels of serum HGF correlate directly with disease activity. The raised serum HGF suggests that HGF may mediate angiogenesis and vascular permeability in the mucosa of children with inflammatory bowel disease. Alternatively, the raised serum HGF may be an epiphenomenon of inflammation.
Authors: Helen M Pappa; Tracee M Saslowsky; Rajna Filip-Dhima; Diane DiFabio; Hajar Hassani Lahsinoui; Apurva Akkad; Richard J Grand; Catherine M Gordon Journal: Am J Gastroenterol Date: 2011-04-26 Impact factor: 10.864
Authors: Helen M Pappa; Paul D Mitchell; Hongyu Jiang; Sivan Kassiff; Rajna Filip-Dhima; Diane DiFabio; Nicolle Quinn; Rachel C Lawton; M E S Bronzwaer; Mirjam Koenen; Catherine M Gordon Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Date: 2014-06-13 Impact factor: 5.958
Authors: Helen M Pappa; Paul D Mitchell; Hongyu Jiang; Sivan Kassiff; Rajna Filip-Dhima; Diane DiFabio; Nicolle Quinn; Rachel C Lawton; Mark Varvaris; Stephanie Van Straaten; Catherine M Gordon Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Date: 2012-03-28 Impact factor: 5.958
Authors: Julajak Limsrivilai; Krishna Rao; Ryan W Stidham; Shail M Govani; Akbar K Waljee; Andrew Reinink; Laura Johnson; Emily Briggs; Peter D R Higgins Journal: Dig Dis Sci Date: 2018-04-12 Impact factor: 3.199