IGFR-I, EGFR, and C-MET expressing circulating mononuclear cells in ulcerative colitis patients

Background: Our research team found numerous Insulin-like Growth Factor Receptor-I (IGFR-I), Hepatocyte Growth Factor Receptor (c-met) and Epithelial Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) positive mononuclear cells in the subepithelial layer of biopsies from mildly and moderately inflamed ulcerative colitis (UC). Aims: To examine the presence of these cells in the peripferial blood of UC patients. Materials and methods: 1.1ml mononuclear cell pellet was extracted from 8ml anticoagulated blood of activeUC patients. Cell smears from 0.2ml cell suspension were done. The cells were assayed immunohistochemically to IGFR-I, E…