Mouse colitis induced by Escherichia coli producing Yersinia enterocolitica 60-kilodalton heat-shock protein - Light and electron microscope study

In patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative col itis (UC), heat-shock protein (Hsp) 60 has been detected in serum and the i ntestinal tract. Our mouse colitis model was established using Escherichia coli transformed with Yersinia enterocolitica Hsp60 gene as an immunizing a ntigen, and examined light and electron microscopically as compared with le sions of UC. The large intestine of mice injected with Hsp60 antigen showed swollen goblet cells, glandular dilation, erosion, ulceration, and infiltr ation of inflammatory cells. The change like crypt abscesses was also found , and various phases of inflammation were observed simultaneously in indivi dual mice. In addition, the reticulum fibers were absent ultrastructurally in the subepithelial reticular layer. Hyperplasia of the thymus was found i n antigen treated mice. These lesions were similar to those of UC. These re sults suggest that UC-like enteritis in mice was induced by using Hsp60, co nsidered as one of the pathogens for UC.