Difference in Presence and Number of CD83(+) Dendritic Cells in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease

Different pathophysiological models provide insight into the important role of CD83(+) dendritic cells (DCs) in the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). There were 154 subjects included in this study: 60 with UC, 19 with CD and 75 in the control group. Colonic biopsy was performed in all subjects. Specimens were incubated with a primary anti-CD83 antibody. Intraepithelial DCs per 100 enterocytes were counted. The results were analysed according to demographic data, type of IBD and histological inflammation pattern. The odds ratio for CD83(+) DCs=0 in the UC group was 3.4 times higher than that in the control group (OR = 3.4; 95% CI: 1.63–7.14; p = 0.001), and the odds ratio for CD83(+) DCs ≥1 in the CD group was 5.3 times higher than that in the UC group (OR = 5.3; 95% CI: 1.4–20.2; p = 0.014). The odds ratio for CD83(+) DCs=0 in the acute inflammation group was 2.7 times higher than that in the group without inflammation (OR = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.2–5.9; p = 0.011). In the group of patients with CD and acute inflammation (n = 11), there was only one subject without CD83(+) DCs (p = 0,024). These results suggest an association of CD83(+) DCs with the type of IBD and the histological inflammation pattern.