The lifespan of antigen-primed T cells is extended and an abnormal population of activated cells is retained within the mucosal compartment. Enhanced expression of the pro-survival proteins BCL-2 and BCL-xL were determined in lamina propria T cells of patients with CD compared to controls. Lamina propria T cells in CD show activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-3

signalling pathway mediated by interleukin (IL)-6. Activation of STAT-3 is followed by the induction anti-apoptotic genes such as BCL-2 and BCL-xL [14]. Resistance of CD T cells to multiple apoptotic signals is associated with increased BCL-2 expression. An abnormal BCL-2 expression in lamina propria mononuclear cells from patients with CD was demonstrated [15]. A significantly higher BCL-2/Bax selleck chemical ratio in CD mucosa compared to control was reported [16]. These data are consistent with a recent report showing significant resistance to Fas-induced apoptosis of peripheral T cells from CD patients [17]. However, no significant difference was reported in the BCL-2/Bax ratio in peripheral blood from CD patients compared to control. Our own studies on apoptosis of lymphocytes in the gut mucosa revealed that cell death in Peyer’s patches is dependent upon the pro-apoptotic protein BIM. Based Peptide 17 in vivo on these findings we investigated the role of Bim for cell death of lymphocytes

in mice under inflammatory conditions. B6.129-Bcl2l11tm1.1Ast/J (Bim–/–) mice were kindly provided Fossariinae by Professor Dr Andreas Villunger (Division for Developmental Immunology, Innsbruck Medical University). Bim–/– mice were back-crossed for at least 12 generations [18]. Mice weighing 20–25 g were used for the experiments

and housed in individually ventilated cages (IVC). All animals were housed for at least 3 weeks prior to testing in a specific pathogen-free (SPF) facility. Chronic colitis was induced as described previously [19]. During a cycle of chronic colitis, mice received either 2·5% DSS in drinking water or drinking water alone over 7 days. In between, the animals were given 14-day periods of recovery. Female mice received three to five cycles of DSS treatment as described. Mice were killed 2 weeks after completion of the last DSS cycle. Animals were anaesthetized intraperitoneally (i.p.) with a mixture of 90–120 mg ketamine (Narketan 10%; Vétoquinol AG, Bern, Switzerland) and 8 mg xylazine (Rompun 2%; Bayer, Basel, Switzerland) per kg body weight and examined with the Tele Pack Pal 20043020 (Karl Storz Endoskope, Tuttlingen, Germany) and scored with a murine endoscopic index of colitis severity (MEICS), as described previously [20]. For the assessment of the histological scores, 1 cm of the distal third of the colon was removed and scored as described [19, 21]. Total RNA was extracted from murine tissue using the RNeasy Mini Kit and the automated sample preparation system QIAcube, as proposed by the manufacturer (Qiagen, Basel, Switzerland).