Ishii H, Isomoto H, Shikuwa S et al. J Clin Biochem Nutr 2010;46:111–8.
Peyer’s patches (PPs) are a component of gut-associated lymphoid tissue and contribute to immunity against intestinal antigens. Aphthous erosions have been identified in the follicle-associated epithelium on PPs in patients with ileal Crohn’s disease. In this study, magnified chromoendoscopy was used to analyze PPs from the terminal ileum of ulcerative colitis patients.
Peyer’s patches (PPs) are highly organized lymphoid tissue in the ileum wall that contain naïve B cells, follicular dendritic cells, and T cell-rich areas. PPs are covered by the follicle-associated epithelium (FAE), which contains specialized epithelial cells. PPs are a component of gut-associated lymphoid tissue and contribute to local and systemic immunity against intestinal antigens. Using magnifying chromoendoscopy, aphthous erosions have been identified in the FAE on the domes of PPs in patients with ileal Crohn’s disease [1]. These findings may support the suggestion that Crohn’s disease lesions originate from PPs.