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Abstract Background Dysregulation of innate immune response by Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) is a key feature in Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Most studies have focused on TLR2, TLR3, and TLR4 participation in UC. However, few studies have explored other TLRs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the mRNA profiles of TLR1 to 9 in colonic mucosa of UC patients, according to disease activity. Methods Colonic biopsies were taken from colon during colonoscopy in 51 patients with Ulcerative Colitis and 36 healthy controls. mRNA levels of TLR1 to 9, Tollip, inflammatory cytokines IL6 and TNF were assessed by RT-qPCR with hydrolysis probes. Characterization of TLR9 protein expression was performed by Immunohistochemistry. Results Toll-like receptors TLR8, TLR9, and IL6 mRNA levels were significantly higher in the colonic mucosa from UC patients (both quiescent and active) as compared to healthy individuals (p < 0.04). In the UC patients group the TLR2, TLR4, TLR8 and TLR9 mRNA levels were found to be significantly lower in patients with quiescent disease, as compared to those with active disease (p < 0.05), whereas TLR5 showed a trend (p = 0.06). IL6 and TNF mRNA levels were significantly higher in the presence of active disease and help to discriminate between quiescent and active disease (p < 0.05). Also, IL6 and TNF mRNA positively correlate with TLRs mRNA with the exception for TLR3, with stronger correlations for TLR5, TLR8, and TLR9 (p < 0.0001). TLR9 protein expression was mainly in the lamina propria infiltrate. Conclusions This study demonstrates that TLR2, TLR4, TLR8, and TLR9 expression increases in active UC patients, and that the mRNA levels positively correlate with the severity of intestinal inflammation as well as with inflammatory cytokines.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a disease of unknown etiology characterized by chronic and superficial inflammation of colorectum. Chromoendoscopy has been informed as a method to improve evaluation of extension of UC. No reports on this issue have been published in Mexico to date., Objective: To investigate usefulness of chromoendoscopy in determination of extension and severity of UC, as well as inter-observer variability., Patients and Methods: Twenty five patients with diagnosis of UC were selected from March 2001 to January 2002 to enter this prospective study. Baron scale was used to evaluate UC endoscopic severity and was followed by randomization of patients to receive methylene blue 0.2% (14 cases) or indigo carmine 0.1% (11 cases) for chromoendoscopic assessment. Each case was presented for evaluation to five endoscopists with > 5 years experience in colonoscopy. Histopathologic report was considered gold standard., Statistical Analysis: Weighed Kappa coefficient for endoscopic-pathologic agreement among evaluators was used., Results and Discussion: There was fair agreement among endoscopic and pathologic diagnoses of each observer with the two tinctures, particularly when using indigo carmine. Chromoendoscopy increased detection of areas affected by UC with minimal or silent activity., Conclusions: Chromoendoscopy with indigo carmine or methylene blue may increase endoscopic-pathologic agreement for assessment of severity of UC, thus being a helpful complementary technique in these patients.