Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes irritation, inflammation, and ulcers in the tissues lining the large intestine. Known to be a long-term condition, UC can result in significant discomfort, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dietary restrictions, and weight loss, ultimately impairing patients' quality of life. While the precise cause of UC is unclear, a complex interplay of immune responses to microbiota (intestinal microbial population), intestinal defects, genetic and environmental factors are often associated with the pathogenesis of UC.
In the past, studies have shown that histological or mucosal healing (MH), also known as a decrease in intestinal tissue inflammation, is associated with favorable outcomes, reduced hospitalization, and reduced need for surgery. However, 30% of patients with UC continue to experience tissue inflammation, despite the resolution of symptoms. To this end, associations between specific immune cell activation and intestinal disease activity have been well established.
However, their role in the intestinal tract and potential association with tissue healing remains unexplored. To bridge this research gap, a team of researchers from China, led by Professor Zhanju Liu, sought to develop a diagnostic criterion based on changes in infiltrating in the , associated with tissue healing in patients with UC. Sharing his views on the importance of such an index, Prof.
Liu elaborates, "Importantly, the assessment of activated immu.