Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Gastrointestinal
and Liver Disease
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY | DIAGNOSIS | MANAGEMENT
LAWRENCE J. BRANDT, MD
Professor of Medicine and Surgery
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Emeritus Chief
Division of Gastroenterology
Montefiore Medical Center
Bronx, New York
Elsevier
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vi
Contributors vii
Keith D. Lindor, MD Ricard Masia, MD, PhD Frederick H. Millham, MD, MBA
Senior Advisor and Professor Associate Director, Translational Chair, Surgery
Siew C. Ng, MBBS (Lond), PhD (Lond) Patrick R. Pfau, MD Christopher K. Rayner, MBBS, PhD
Professor of Medicine Professor, Chief of Clinical Professor
Department of Medicine and Gastroenterology Adelaide Medical School
Therapeutics Section of Gastroenterology and University of Adelaide
State Key Laboratory of Digestive Hepatology Consultant Gastroenterologist
Disease University of Wisconsin School of Department of Gastroenterology and
LKS Institute of Health Science Medicine and Public Health Hepatology
The Chinese University of Hong Kong Madison, Wisconsin, United States Royal Adelaide Hospital
Hong Kong, China Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Angela K. Pham, MD
Mark L. Norris, BSc (Hon), MD Clinical Assistant Professor Ahsan Raza, MD
Associate Professor of Pediatrics Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and General and Colorectal Surgery
Pediatrics Nutrition Rapides Surgical Specialists
Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario University of Florida Alexandria, Louisiana, United States
University of Ottawa Gainesville, Florida, United States
Miguel D. Regueiro, MD
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Kimberly L. Pham, MD Chair and Professor of Medicine
John O’Grady, MD, FRCPI St. George’s University Grenada Department of Gastroenterology and
Professor West Indies, Grenada Hepatology
Institute of Liver Studies Cleveland Clinic, Digestive Disease and
Daniel S. Pratt, MD
King’s College Hospital Surgery Institute
Clinical Director, Liver Transplantation
London, United Kingdom Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Division of Gastroenterology
Manisha Palta, MD Massachusetts General Hospital John F. Reinus, MD
Associate Professor Assistant Professor of Medicine Professor of Medicine
Radiation Oncology Harvard Medical School Department of Medicine
Duke University Boston, Massachusetts, United States Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Durham, North Carolina, United States Medical Director of Liver
David O. Prichard, MB, BCh, PhD
Transplantation
Stephen J. Pandol, MD Gastroenterologist
Montefiore-Einstein Center for
Professor Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Transplantation
Medicine Mayo Clinic
Montefiore Medical Center
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Rochester, Minnesota
Bronx, New York, United States
Los Angeles, California, United States
Michael Quante, PD, Dr
David A. Relman, MD
John E. Pandolfino, MD, MSCI Technische Universität München
Thomas C. and Joan M. Merigan
Hans Popper Professor of Medicine II Medizinische Klinik
Professor
Feinberg School of Medicine Klinikum rechts der Isar
Departments of Medicine and
Northwestern University München, Germany
Microbiology and Immunology
Division Chief
Eamonn M.M. Quigley, MD Stanford University
Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Professor of Medicine and Chief, Stanford, California
Northwestern Medicine
Gastroenterology and Hepatology Chief of Infectious Diseases
Chicago, Illinois, United States
David M. and Lynda K. Underwood Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care
Darrell S. Pardi, MD, MS Center for Digestive Disorders System
Vice Chair Houston Methodist Hospital Palo Alto, California, United States
Division of Gastroenterology and Weill Cornell Medical College
Arvind Rengarajan, MD
Hepatology Houston, Texas, United States
Barnes-Jewish Hospital
Associate Dean
Balakrishnan S. Ramakrishna, MBBS, Department of Internal Medicine
Mayo School of Graduate Medical
MD, DM, PhD Washington University in St. Louis
Education
Head St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Mayo Clinic
Institute of Gastroenterology
Rochester, Minnesota, United States Joel E. Richter, MD
SRM Institutes for Medical Science
Professor and Director
Michelle Pearlman, MD Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Division of Digestive Diseases and
Professor of Medicine
Mrinalini C. Rao, PhD Nutrition
Department of Internal Medicine,
Professor University of South Florida
Division of Digestive and Liver
Department of Physiology and Director
Diseases
Biophysics Joy McCann Culverhouse Center for
University of Texas Southwestern
University of Illinois at Chicago Swallowing Disorders
Dallas, Texas, United States
Chicago, Illinois, United States University of South Florida
Vyjeyanthi S. Periyakoil, MD Tampa, Florida, United States
Satish S.C. Rao, MD, PhD
Director, Palliative Care Education and
Professor of Medicine Sumera H. Rizvi, MD
Training
Harold J. Harrison, MD, Distinguished Assistant Professor of Medicine
Department of Medicine
University Chair in Gastroenterology Division of Gastroenterology and
Stanford University School of Medicine
Medicine-Gastroenterology/Hepatology Hepatology
Stanford, California, United States
Augusta University Mayo Clinic
Augusta, Georgia, United States Rochester, Minnesota, United States
Contributors xiii
Division of Medical Oncology Department of Biological Sciences Medicine, Physiology, and Cancer Cell
Department of Internal Medicine Program Director of Master of Science Biology
UT Southwestern Medical Center in Integrative Physiology Chair
Dallas, Texas, United States Benedictine University Division of Gastroenterology and
Lisle, Illinois Hepatology
Eve A. Roberts, MD, PhD
Visiting Research Professor Associate Chair of Research Medicine
Adjunct Professor
Department of Physiology and Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and
Pediatrics, Medicine, and Pharmacology
Biophysics Science
and Toxicology
University of Illinois at Chicago Rochester, Minnesota, United States
University of Toronto
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Adjunct Scientist G. Thomas Shires, MD
Genetics and Genome Biology Program George S. Sarosi Jr., MD John P. Thompson Chair
Hospital for Sick Children Research Robert H. Hux MD Professor and Vice Surgical Services
Institute Chairman for Education Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital
Associate Department of Surgery Dallas
Division of Gastroenterology, University of Florida College of Dallas, Texas, United States
Hepatology, and Nutrition Medicine
Maria H. Sjogren, MD, MPH
The Hospital for Sick Children Staff Surgeon
Senior Hepatologist
Toronto, Ontario, Canada Surgical Service
Department of Medicine
Associate Fellow NF/SG VAMC
Walter Reed National Medical Center
History of Science and Technology Gainesville, Florida, United States
Bethesda, Maryland, United States
Program
Thomas J. Savides, MD
University of King’s College Phillip D. Smith, MD
Professor of Clinical Medicine
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Professor of Medicine and Microbiology
Division of Gastroenterology
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Martin D. Rosenthal, MD University of California San Diego
Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Assistant Professor La Jolla, California, United States
Surgery Elsa Solà, MD, PhD
Lawrence R. Schiller, MD
University of Florida Liver Unit
Attending Physician
Gainesville, Florida, United States Hospital Clinic
Gastroenterology Division
Associate Professor
Marc E. Rothenberg, MD, PhD Baylor University Medical Center
University of Barcelona
Professor of Pediatrics Dallas, Texas, United States
Researcher
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical
Mitchell L. Schubert, MD Institut d’Investigacions Biomediques
Center
Professor of Medicine and Physiology August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Virginia Commonwealth University Barcelona, Spain
Jayanta Roy-Chowdhury, MBBS Health System
Rhonda F. Souza, MD
Professor Chief, Division of Gastroenterology,
Co-Director, Center for Esophageal
Departments of Medicine and Genetics Hepatology, and Nutrition
Diseases
Director, Genetic Engineering and Gene McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical
Department of Medicine
Therapy Core Facility Center
Baylor University Medical Center
Albert Einstein College of Medicine Richmond, Virginia, United States
Co-Director, Center for Esophageal
New York, New York, United States
Cynthia L. Sears, MD Research
Namita Roy-Chowdhury, PhD Professor of Medicine and Oncology Baylor Scott and White Research
Professor Johns Hopkins University School of Institute
Departments of Medicine and Genetics Medicine Dallas, Texas, United States
Albert Einstein College of Medicine Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Cedric W. Spak, MD, MPH
New York, New York, United States
Joseph H. Sellin, MD Clinical Assistant Professor
David T. Rubin, MD Professor Emeritus Infectious Diseases
Joseph B. Kirsner Professor of Medicine Division of Gastroenterology Baylor University Medical Center
Chief, Section of Gastroenterology, Baylor College of Medicine Staff Physician
Hepatology, and Nutrition Chief of Gastroenterology Infectious Diseases
Department of Medicine Ben Taub General Hospital Texas Centers for Infectious Disease
University of Chicago Houston, Texas, United States Associates
Chicago, Illinois, United States Dallas, Texas, United States
M. Gaith Semrin, MD, MBBS
Associate Professor Stuart Jon Spechler, MD
Pediatric Gastroenterology and Chief, Division of Gastroenterology
Nutrition Co-Director, Center for Esophageal
UT Southwestern Medical Center Research
Children Medical Center Dallas Department of Medicine
Dallas, Texas, United States Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas
Co-Director, Center for Esophageal
Research
Baylor Scott and White Research Institute
Dallas, Texas, United States
xiv Contributors
James E. Squires, MD, MS Jan Tack, MD, PhD Dominique Charles Valla, MD
Assistant Professor Head, Division of Gastroenterology and Professor of Hepatology
Department of Pediatrics Hepatology Liver Unit
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Leuven University Hospitals Hôpital Beaujon, APHP,
Pittsburgh Professor of Medicine Clichy-la-Garenne
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Translational Research Center for France
Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID) CRI, UMR1149
Neil H. Stollman, MD
Department of Clinical and Inserm and Université de Paris
Associate Clinical Professor
Experimental Medicine Paris, France
Department of Medicine, Division of
University of Leuven
Gastroenterology John J. Vargo II, MD, MPH
Leuven, Belgium
University of California San Francisco Associate Professor of Medicine
San Francisco, California Nicholas J. Talley, MD, PhD Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Chief Distinguished Laureate Professor Cleveland Clinic
Division of Gastroenterology Faculty of Health and Medicine Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center University of Newcastle, Australia
Santhi Swaroop Vege, MD
Oakland, California, United States Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Professor of Medicine and Director
Sarah E. Streett, MD Jarred P. Tanksley, MD, PhD Pancreas Group
Clinical Associate Professor Resident Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Director IBD Education Radiation Oncology Mayo Clinic
Division of Gastroenterology and Duke University Rochester, Minnesota, United States
Hepatology Durham, North Carolina, United States
Axel von Herbay, MD
Stanford University
Narci C. Teoh, MD Professor of Pathology
Redwood City, California, United States
Professor of Medicine Faculty of Medicine
Jonathan R. Strosberg, MD Australian National University University of Heidelberg
Associate Professor Senior Staff Hepatologist Heidelberg Hans Pathologie
Gastrointestinal Oncology The Canberra Hospital Hamburg, Germany
Moffitt Cancer Center Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Margaret von Mehren, MD
Tampa, Florida, United States
Dawn M. Torres, MD Professor
Frederick J. Suchy, MD Program Director GI Fellowship Department of Hematology/Oncology
Children’s Hospital Colorado Department of Medicine Fox Chase Cancer Center
Professor of Pediatrics and Associate Walter Reed National Military Medical Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United
Dean for Child Health Research Center States
Pediatrics Associate Professor of Medicine
David Q.-H. Wang, MD, PhD
University of Colorado School of Department of Medicine
Professor of Medicine
Medicine Uniformed Services University of the
Departments of Medicine and Genetics
Aurora, Colorado, United States Health Sciences
Director, Molecular Biology and Next
Bethesda, Maryland, United States
Aravind Sugumar, MD Generation Technology Core
Instructor Kiran Turaga, MD, MPH Marion Bessin Liver Research Center
Gastroenterology and Hepatology Associate Professor Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Cleveland Clinic Foundation Department of Surgery Bronx, New York, United States
Cleveland, Ohio, United States The University of Chicago
Sachin Wani, MD
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Shelby Sullivan, MD Associate Professor of Medicine
Associate Professor of Medicine Richard H. Turnage, MD Division of Gastroenterology and
Director, Gastroenterology Metabolic Executive Associate Dean for Clinical Hepatology
and Bariatric Program Affairs University of Colorado Anschutz
Division of Gastroenterology and Professor of Surgery Medical Campus
Hepatology University of Arkansas for Medical Aurora, Colorado, United States
University of Colorado Anschutz Sciences Medical Center
Frederick Weber, MD
Medical Campus University of Arkansas for Medical
Clinical Professor
Aurora, Colorado, United States Sciences
Division of Gastroenterology and
Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
Gyongyi Szabo, MD, PhD Hepatology
Mitchell T. Rabkin, MD Chair Michael F. Vaezi, MD, PhD, MS University of Alabama Birmingham
Chief Academic Officer Professor of Medicine and Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Otolaryngology
Barry K. Wershil, MD
and Beth Israel Lahey Health Division of Gastroenterology and
Professor
Faculty Dean for Academic Affairs Hepatology
Pediatrics
Harvard Medical School Vanderbilt University
Northwestern University Feinberg
Boston, Massachusetts, United States Director
School of Medicine
Center for Swallowing and Esophageal
Chief, Division of Gastroenterology,
Disorders
Hepatology, and Nutrition
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Pediatrics
Director
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s
Clinical Research
Hospital of Chicago
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Contributors xv
Even attempting to write a Foreword for the 11th edition been in the recent past and what we hope (and expect) to achieve
of Sleisenger and Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: in the future.
Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/Management, a textbook that has served A trusted book provides a helpful guide that is readily available
for many decades to prepare readers to respond to challenges at moments of uncertainty. A comparison of an individual chapter
presented by patients with gastrointestinal and liver disease, is from a past edition and what we have now further validates the
a daunting task and yet a great pleasure. Just having achieved an conclusion that progress is being made, and the future of our spe-
11th edition of a textbook is, in and of itself, a remarkable accom- cialty is encouraging. The three senior editors and three associate
plishment. Generations of gastroenterologists and hepatologists editors of the 11th edition are foremost authorities and widely
have relied on Sleisenger and Fordtran to provide comprehensive, recognized for their abilities to identify topics of interest and
up-to-date, reliable information. to persuade experts in these areas to share their knowledge. To
The 11th edition is a welcome addition to the previous editions, write an updated review of one’s field can be a Herculean task that
which have been widely acclaimed as important go-to sources requires not only knowledge but also courage. The editors have
of information regarding the broad array of disorders affecting surely succeeded. The careful selection of authors of individual
the gastrointestinal tract and the liver. Over the past half cen- chapters allows each to bring his or her own style regarding what
tury, these volumes have been mainstays in the libraries of those to emphasize; to lay out what we know, as well as what we need to
engaged in these fields. Since its inception 10 editions ago, this know, to diagnose and effectively treat specific problems; and to
now classic textbook has tracked the evolution of thinking in mul- provide suggestions and guidance as to how to manage patients
tiple areas and has served readers well. These days, there are ever- while integrating new observations into practice.
expanding ways for those of us interested in gastroenterology and With regard to the liver section, the current state of knowl-
hepatology to be stimulated, informed, educated, and refreshed. edge about hepatitis-inducing viruses and drug-induced liver dis-
Lectures, conversations with colleagues, and attendance at local, eases and the tsunami of interest in the many consequences of the
regional, and national meetings have their roles, and we all learn effects of excessive fat in the liver in the causation of chronic liver
from our patients. Perusal of relevant articles in medical journals diseases are breathtaking. These achievements have been well-
is increasingly difficult in an era in which the number of available chronicled journeys with opportunities (and hope) for even more
journals has increased remarkably. The practicing clinician, given effective therapeutic agents in the near future. Just one edition
present-day time constraints, will more than ever find this text- ago, we were on the threshold of having effective, widely appli-
book reliable, informative, and useful. In these two volumes are cable treatments for the several types of viral hepatitis; much of
overviews of what is known now and glimpses of what the future what we hoped for has been achieved. It is now likely that there
is likely to bring. A blend of skill, knowledge, practical experi- will be discovery of therapeutic approaches that will favorably
ence, and the ability to teach is required of the authors in order affect the broad array of fat-related liver injuries, including their
to achieve these goals. Overall, these efforts have been successful association with cardiovascular disorders. Widely available access
in presenting accurate and comprehensive updates in our fields of to advanced endoscopy has changed the approach to the evalua-
interest and serve us well as a look to our past, provide reflections tion and treatment of many disorders of the gastrointestinal tract,
regarding our present, and delineate problems yet to be solved. bile ducts, and pancreas. Furthermore, who could have foreseen
We are fortunate to live in exciting and rapidly changing just a few years ago how advances in biological therapies and
times in gastroenterology and hepatology. The sheer volume minimally invasive surgery would so redirect our treatments of
of new ideas presented in multiple journals is stimulating and a broad array of disorders or how important the gut microbiome
often overwhelming. Each of us must evaluate and assimilate would be in the pathogenesis of many disorders. Once we under-
new information while making efforts to appropriately incor- stand how to favorably alter the gut microbiome, major leaps for-
porate the new advances into our practices. To stay up to date ward can be expected.
and achieve our goals requires considerable effort and dedica- What is next? Gene editing and an understanding of intesti-
tion (Even COVID-19 is mentioned several times throughout nal microbiota, now in their infancy, will receive much deserved
the book.). There is comfort in having available a reliable and attention in the next few years. With each passing year, advances in
trusted guide to refresh and stimulate us. manipulation of the human genome and intestinal microbiota are
The 11th edition of Sleisenger and Fordtran provides a firm, becoming more precise and require constant, thoughtful oversight
authoritative platform regarding what is established knowledge to ensure that we do what we should do and not just what we can
and identifies where progress is being made to prepare us to do. In this edition, we have blueprints and predictions of the future
be better armed for the foreseeable future. We all need to be for many aspects of our specialty. It is important to discard old
informed of the likely validity and usefulness of new observa- ideas that have not proved effective while constantly re-examining
tions. It is vital that we recognize the degree of certainty of the the basis for what we think we know and appropriately altering
data that led to our conclusions. There have been (and will be) what we do.
definite game-changing advances and also many seemingly good We all marvel when we see what has been (and is) happening
ideas and approaches that turn out to be sidesteps. New concepts in medicine and the effects of these advances in gastroenterology
must be recognized, double-checked, processed, and then incor- and hepatology. Surely, the best is yet to come, and we all hope
porated into our thinking, subsequently affecting our actions. that what we are learning and applying now will stimulate us to
The breadth of subjects covered in depth in these two vol- create an even better future.
umes is impressive. I had the honor to write the Foreword to the
9th edition published in 2010. When comparing the expansion of Willis C. Maddrey, MD
knowledge from then to now, one can appreciate where we have Dallas, Texas
xvi
The Sleisenger and Fordtran Editors
xvii
Preface
Nearly a half century ago, in the summer of 1971, Drs. Marvin As one looks back 50 years, the advances made in our field
H. Sleisenger in San Francisco and John S. Fordtran in Dallas as a result of rigorous basic science and clinical research have
embarked on a new venture: planning, writing, and editing the been truly remarkable, and the future holds even greater prom-
inaugural edition of a new textbook for gastroenterologists. ise of discovery. Featured advances discussed in the 11th edition
The book received widespread praise for incorporating state- include improved diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis B
of-the-art descriptions of the pathophysiology of the d isorders and C; evolution in the diagnosis and treatment of Helicobacter
discussed—a first for a medical textbook. Since the a uspicious pylori infection and the resulting benefits on the prevention and
debut of Gastrointestinal Disease: Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/ treatment of peptic ulcer disease and gastric neoplasia; improve-
Management, subsequent editions have been published every ments in the prevention of colorectal cancer through screening
4 to 5 years, and we are pleased that the 11th edition of this and surveillance; new approaches to the recognition and treat-
venerable textbook continues the tradition and standards set ment of Barrett esophagus and consequent prevention of esopha-
by the founding editors. To be sure, innumerable enhance- geal adenocarcinoma; the expanding use of biologic agents and
ments have been made since the 1st edition, such as the addi- novel small molecules to treat and prevent recurrences of IBD;
tion of chapters on liver diseases, the availability of the book recognition of an increasing number of immune and autoimmune
online and on hand-held devices, the introduction of monthly diseases affecting not only the stomach and hepatobiliary system
updates to bring attention to important new developments but also the pancreas and intestine; improvements in the ability
that occur between editions, the incorporation of videos of to risk stratify and treat patients with GI bleeding; and continuing
new diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and the participa- progress in hepatic, pancreatic, and small bowel transplantation.
tion of authors from around the world to give the book a truly There have been remarkable advances in our understanding the
international flavor. gut microbiome, which is becoming the focus of interest in diverse
In the summer of 2017, the current editors met with the fields, such as IBS, IBD, obesity, hepatic encephalopathy, and oth-
publisher and reviewed the prior (10th) edition of the book ers, including non-GI disorders. We are particularly pleased to
in great detail. Most importantly, the core group of 3 senior have completely redesigned the section on IBD by reorganizing
editors invited 3 associate editors (Drs. Raymond T. Chung, and updating the discussions of pathophysiology, clinical presen-
David T. Rubin, and C. Mel Wilcox) to join them in order to tation, and management, all of which are evolving rapidly.
facilitate critical review of the chapters, to help select the most Sadly, the original co-founder of this textbook, Dr. Marvin H.
expert authors, and to provide greater content expertise. Each Sleisenger, passed away on October 19, 2017, at the age of 93.
associate editor worked closely with a senior editor. The result, Marvin will be greatly missed, and we trust that this 11th edition
we hope, is an easily readable, carefully edited, highly accurate, would have met with his approval and commendation.
and thorough review of the state of the art of gastrointestinal
and liver disease. The target audience is primarily practicing Mark Feldman, MD
gastroenterologists and hepatologists (adult and pediatric) and Lawrence S. Friedman, MD
trainees in gastroenterology. We hope the book will also be Lawrence J. Brandt, MD
useful to general internists, other specialists, and students at
all levels.
xviii
Acknowledgments
The editors and associate editors of the 11th edition of Sleisenger thank Dr. Willis C. Maddrey of the University of Texas South-
& Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease are most grateful western for his eloquent Foreword, the second time he has been
to the more than 230 authors from countries in North America, called on to do this honor for Sleisenger & Fordtran. We remem-
Europe, Asia, and Australia who contributed their knowledge, ber with affection Dr. Marvin H. Sleisenger, who passed away as
expertise, and wisdom to the pages of the book. We are also the 11th edition of the book he co-created was being prepared,
appreciative of the talented staff at Elsevier who helped bring and pay tribute to Dr. John S. Fordtran for his continuing inspi-
this book to life, particularly Nancy Duffy, Dolores Meloni, and ration and contributions. We are deeply appreciative of the love
Deidre Simpson. A special call out goes to Cindy Thoms, who and support of our spouses: Barbara Feldman, Mary Jo Cappuc-
oversaw production of the book. We are most thankful to our cilli, Lois Brandt, Kim Wilcox, Diane Abraczinskas, and Rebecca
assistants, Sherie Strang, Alison Sholock, Amy Nash, and Amy Rubin. Finally, we thank our readers, to whom the book is dedi-
Majkowski, for outstanding secretarial support. We want to cated, for their confidence and trust in this textbook.
xix
Abbreviation List
AASLD American Association for the Study of Liver ESR Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Diseases EUS Endoscopic ultrasonography
ACG American College of Gastroenterology FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration
ACTH Corticotropin FNA Fine-needle aspiration
AE Angioectasia GAVE Gastric antral vascular ectasia
AFP Alpha fetoprotein GERD Gastroesophageal reflux disease
AGA American Gastroenterological Association GGTP Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase
AIDS Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome GI Gastrointestinal
ALF Acute liver failure GIST GI stromal tumor
ALT Alanine aminotransferase GU Gastric ulcer
AMA Antimitochondrial antibodies H & E Hematoxylin and eosin
ANA Antinuclear antibodies H2RA Histamine-2 receptor antagonist
ANCA Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies HAV Hepatitis A virus
APACHE Acute physiology and chronic health HBV Hepatitis B virus
examination
HCC Hepatocellular carcinoma
APC Argon plasma coagulation
HCG Human chorionic gonadotropin
ASGE American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
HCV Hepatitis C virus
AST Aspartate aminotransferase
HDL High-density lipoprotein
ATP Adenosine triphosphate
HDV Hepatitis D virus
BICAP Bipolar electrocoagulation
HELLP Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets
BMI Body mass index
HEV Hepatitis E virus
BRBPR Bright red blood per rectum
Hgb Hemoglobin
CBC Complete blood count
HHT Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia
CCK Cholecystokinin
HIV Human immunodeficiency virus
CEA Carcinoembryonic antigen
HLA Human leukocyte antigen
CDI Clostridioides difficile infection
HPV Human papillomavirus
CF Cystic fibrosis
HSV Herpes simplex virus
CFTR Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance
regulator Hp Helicobacter pylori
CMV Cytomegalovirus IBD Inflammatory bowel disease
CNS Central nervous system IBS Irritable bowel syndrome
CO2 Carbon dioxide ICU Intensive care unit
COX Cyclooxygenase IMA Inferior mesenteric artery
CT Computed tomography IMT Intestinal microbiota transplantation
CTA Computed tomography angiography INR International normalized ratio
DAA Direct-acting antiviral agent IV Intravenous
DIC Disseminated intravascular coagulation IVIG Intravenous immunoglobulin
DILI Drug-induced liver injury LDH Lactate dehydrogenase
DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid LDL Low-density lipoprotein
DU Duodenal ulcer LGI Lower gastrointestinal
DVT Deep vein thrombosis LGIB Lower gastrointestinal bleed
EBV Epstein-Barr virus LLQ Left lower quadrant
EGD Esophagogastroduodenoscopy LT Liver transplantation
EGF Epidermal growth factor LUQ Left upper quadrant
EMG Electromyography MELD Model for end-stage liver disease
ERCP Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography MEN Multiple endocrine neoplasia
xxv
xxvi Abbreviation List
Ink4A CDK4
Cyclin D1
P
pRb pRb P
P
E2F
G1/S
checkpoint
E2F
G0 G1 S
Cyclin B
M G2
P
FoxM1
P
G2 /M
checkpoint
P
FoxM1 FoxM1
P
Cyclin A
Cip/Kip CDK2
Fig. 1.1 Regulation of the cell cycle by (cycs), cyclin-dependent kinases (cdks), and cdk inhibitors. In the
normal cell cycle, DNA synthesis (in which chromosomal DNA is duplicated) occurs in the S phase, whereas
mitosis (in which nuclei first divide to form a pair of new nuclei, followed by actual cellular division to form a
pair of daughter cells) takes place in the M phase. The S and M phases are separated by two gap phases: the
G1 phase after mitosis and before DNA synthesis, and the G2 phase following the S phase. During these gap
phases, the cell is synthesizing proteins and metabolites, increasing its mass, and preparing for the S phase
and M phase. Cell cycle progression is regulated primarily at two points, the G2/M and G1/S checkpoints,
through the coordinated activities of cyclins and CDKs, which in turn are negatively regulated by CDK inhibitors
(Ink4 and Cip/Kip families).
Death
Receptors 1
(TNFR1, Fas, etc.)
Bax
Cyto c Bak
Caspase-8 Cellular Stress
(Radiation,
chemotherapy, etc.)
Bcl-2
Caspase-9 Apaf-1
Bcl-xL Mitochondria
Mcl-1
Executioner Downstream
Caspases Targets leading to
(Casp-3, Casp-7) Cell Death
Fig. 1.2 Apoptosis (programmed cell death) counterbalances cellular proliferation to regulate overall tissue
growth. A complex interplay of proapoptotic and antiapoptotic molecules results in downstream activation of
caspases that mediate cell death. Some of these signals are initiated through cellular stress that can desta-
bilize mitochondrial membranes, and some are initiated through death receptors, including TNFR1 and Fas.
The mitochondrial step is regulated by the interplay between proapoptotic (Bax, Bak) and antiapoptotic (Bcl-2,
Bcl-xL) molecules. Upon mitochondrial permeabilization, cytochrome c release promotes the formation of the
apoptosome complex (APAF1, caspase 9, and cytochrome c). Activation of caspase-8 (downstream of death
receptor) or of caspase-9 (as a result of apoptosome formation), leads to activation of executioner caspases (3
and 7) which are responsible for targeting downstream targets that are responsible for cell death.
that alter gene transcription and protein expression. Based on the Many receptors are members of the so-called 7-membrane–
nature of the intracellular signaling cascades that these recep- spanning receptor family. These receptors are coupled to guanine
tors initiate, they can be classified into three major categories: nucleotide binding proteins, also known as G proteins, and thus,
(1) tyrosine kinases, (2) serine and threonine kinases, and (3) G the receptors are referred to as G protein–coupled receptors. G
protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs). proteins undergo a conformational change that is dependent on
The receptors for many peptide growth factors contain intrin- the presence of guanosine phosphates.15 Activation of G proteins
sic tyrosine kinase activity within their intracellular tail. After can trigger a variety of intracellular signals, including stimula-
ligand binding, tyrosine kinase activity is stimulated, leading to tion of phospholipase C and the generation of phosphoinositides
phosphorylation of tyrosine residues in target proteins within (most importantly, inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate) and diacylglycerol
the cell. Most receptors also autophosphorylate tyrosine residues through hydrolysis of membrane phospholipids, as well as modu-
present in the receptors themselves to magnify signaling, and, in lation of the second messengers cyclic adenosine monophosphate
some cases, this also causes attenuation of their own activity to and guanosine monophosphate.16 Somatostatin receptors exem-
effect an intramolecular feedback regulatory mechanism. The plify a GPCR prevalent in the GI tract.
receptors for many peptide growth factors, including the receptor Binding of growth factors and cytokines to cell surface recep-
for EGF and related growth factors, belong to this receptor class. tors typically produces alterations in a variety of cellular functions
Other receptors on the cell surface possess kinase activity that influence growth. These functions include ion transport,
directed toward serine or threonine residues rather than tyrosine. nutrient uptake, and protein synthesis. However, the ligand-
These receptors also phosphorylate a variety of cellular proteins, receptor interaction must ultimately modify one or more of the
leading to a cascade of biological responses. Multiple sites of ser- homeostatic mechanisms discussed to affect cellular proliferation.
ine and threonine phosphorylation are present on many growth The Wnt pathway is one important example of a signaling
factor receptors, including the tyrosine kinase receptors, suggest- pathway that regulates a diverse number of homeostatic mecha-
ing the existence of significant interactions among various recep- nisms to control proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells (Fig.
tors present on a single cell.14 The transforming growth factor 1.3). Evolutionarily conserved among several species, Wnt sig-
(TGF)-α receptor complex is one important example of a serine- naling, as a rule, regulates proliferation in the stem cell niche
threonine kinase–containing transmembrane receptor. and is essential for epithelial homeostasis in the GI tract. From a
Wnt
β-catenin
Pi
GSK-3β
GSK-3β
Axin Axin
APC Dishevelled
APC
Pi
Cytosolic
β-catenin
Proteosome
Nucleus c-Myc
Cyclin D1
VEGF
Tcf4
Fig. 1.3 The Wnt signaling pathway is an important regulator of intestinal epithelial cell proliferation and tumori-
genesis. In the absence of a Wnt signal (left top), cytosolic β-catenin is regulated by the destruction complex,
consisting of APC, Axin, and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β). The destruction complex phosphorylates
α-catenin and targets it for degradation via the ubiquitin-proteosome pathway. In the presence of an active
Wnt signal (right top), α-catenin degradation is prevented and the protein is stabilized, leading to excess cyto-
plasmic α-catenin which is translocated to the nucleus. Nuclear α-catenin interacts with the Tcf-4 transcription
factor to regulate the expression of many key target genes. APC, Adenomatous polyposis coli; P, phosphate
group; Ub, ubiquitin; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor.
CHAPTER 1 Cellular Growth and Neoplasia 5
signaling perspective, its actions are largely the result of the accu- silencing. Other forms of epigenetic change involve the chemi-
mulation of α-catenin in the nucleus, where it binds with the tran- cal modification of the histone proteins that are required for the 1
scription factor Tcf-4 to activate a set of target genes.17 In normal assembly of the nucleosome and that control chromatin compac-
cells, α-catenin is largely associated with adherens junctions, and tion and DNA access. Although mutations in histones themselves
the cytoplasmic pool of this protein is rapidly degraded through are rare in cancer, mutations in the enzymes that modify histones
a phosphorylation and ubiquitination pathway. This is mediated are emerging as an important group of tumor-associated muta-
by the so-called destruction complex, which includes the tumor tions. It is important to note that involvement by these pathways
suppressor APC. When secreted Wnt ligands bind to cell surface is not mutually exclusive.
receptors of the Frizzled family, the constitutive degradation of
α-catenin is inhibited (disheveled) which results in the nuclear
accumulation of this factor, and the subsequent transcriptional
Clonal Expansion
activation of genes that promote cell proliferation. Inhibition of Clonal expansion is essential to tumor development.25 The acqui-
the Wnt signal in mice can be achieved by deletion of Tcf-4 or sition of a mutation that may provide a growth or survival advan-
overexpression of the Wnt inhibitor Dickkopf1, which results in tage to a cell is followed by clonal expansion of these mutated cells.
dramatic hypoproliferation of the intestinal epithelium.18,19 Wnt As this population grows, and particularly with the acquisition of
signaling is most active in the base of the crypt, and as differentia- genetic/epigenetic instability, a second round of clonal expansion
tion ensues, tissue homeostasis is maintained by growth-inhibit- occurs as a cell within this population sustains still another genetic
ing signals that counterbalance proliferative signals and promote alteration that further enhances its growth properties. This itera-
differentiation, including members of the TGF-α family such as tive process of selection, with accumulating genetic alterations,
BMP4.20 Specific members of this family have unique functions results in malignancy. Because of the nature of the clonal expan-
is tissue homeostasis, including promoting a differentiated and sion process, once frank malignancy has developed, it is often the
fibrogenic phenotype of mesenchymal cells, induction of specific case that multiple clones are present in the same tumor, with a
T cell subtypes, and myriad other activities. In broad terms, the different catalog of mutations harbored among various cancer
effects of TGF-α family members are mediated intracellularly cells. Referred to as tumor heterogeneity, this ongoing process may
through the Smad family of proteins, which are transcription fac- give certain cells selection advantages.26 Metastasis may be facili-
tors that are activated in response to ligand-receptor binding.21 tated by the evolution of a subset of tumor cells that acquire the
TGF-α induces transcription of the cell cycle inhibitors p15INK4B capability of traversing the circulatory system and thriving in a
and p21CIP1/WAF1 and is a potent growth-inhibiting factor that new environment.
mediates arrest of the cell cycle at the G1 phase. Furthermore, it
also enhances the inhibitory activity of p27KIP1 on the cyclin E/
CDK2 complex.22
Cancer Stem Cells
Recognition of tumor heterogeneity has led to the cancer stem cell
(CSC) hypothesis, which asserts that there exists a subset of tumor
INTESTINAL TUMOR DEVELOPMENT cells that have stem cell–like properties. CSCs are believed to be
the tumor-initiating cells from which clonal expansion occurs.
Multistep Formation Moreover, it is hypothesized that eradication of these cells is a key
Multiple sequential genetic alterations are required for the trans- therapeutic goal because failure to do so may result in relapse of
formation of normal intestinal epithelium to neoplasia. This mul- disease. Within this CSC hypothesis, there are 2 models.27 The
tistep nature of tumorigenesis is most directly illustrated by the first is a hierarchical model in which CSCs serve as progenitors
changes that accrue in the development of colonic neoplasia (see for all cells in in a given tumor, whereas other cells have limited
Chapter 127). The progression from normal epithelium through long-term reproductive potential. The basic evidence for this
adenomatous polyps to malignant neoplasia is paralleled by the model is the finding that only cells with specific surface markers
accumulation of genetic alterations that change key pathways can repopulate the tumor in xenotransplantation experiments. In
that control proliferation and tissue homeostasis. Studies on the the GI tract, analysis of putative CSCs demonstrate transcrip-
molecular pathogenesis of colon cancer have served as a paradigm tional programs and markers shared with normal intestinal stem
for the elucidation of genetic alterations in other GI cancers, cells, such as Lgr5 and EphB2, which identify and purify colon
including gastric and pancreatic cancer. CSCs.28 The second stochastic model posits that each cancer
Genomic instability is observed in almost all cancers in the GI cell has the same potential to be a CSC, but this determination
tract. This genetically unstable environment promotes the accu- is stochastically based on internal factors in addition to external
mulation of the multiple alterations that characterize GI cancers. environmental cues.
Instability of the genome may result from several mechanisms,
including changes in the genome DNA sequence or through mod-
ifications of the nucleotides to alter their functionality, a process
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
called epigenetic change. In colon cancer, there are now 3 well- It has been noted that within tumors of epithelial origin, some
recognized forms of genetic/epigenetic instability that promote cells acquire features of mesenchymal cells. A similar process
carcinogenesis (Fig. 1.4), and they have been termed chromosomal occurs during normal embryogenesis, when polarized epithelial
instability, microsatellite instability (MSI), and CpG island methylator cells no longer recognize the boundaries imposed by adjacent
phenotype (CIMP).23,24 Chromosomal instability refers to altera- epithelial cells or their basement membrane and adopt features of
tions in chromosomal structure resulting in large chromosomal migratory mesenchymal cells. This phenomenon, designated epi-
deletions, duplications, and translocations, which in aggregate thelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), endows cells with the ability
result in a state of aneuploidy. In contrast, MSI refers to frequent to move through tissue planes that normally serve as boundar-
alterations in tracts of repetitive DNA sequences (referred to ies for epithelial cells, such as the basement membrane, a dense
microsatellite DNA) and are often diploid or near-diploid on a matrix of collagen, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans. The trans-
chromosomal level (see later discussion on DNA repair). CIMP migration of tumor cells through the basement membrane likely
refers to the accumulation of an epigenetic modification, meth- involves production of key proteolytic activities. Alternatively,
ylation of guanine residues in so-called CpG-islands, areas rich the tumor cell may produce factors capable of activating pro-
in cytidine and guanine in gene promoter sites. This modifica- enzymes present in the extracellular matrix. For example, the
tion has a potent effect on gene transcription and results in gene tumor may produce urokinase, itself a protease, or plasminogen
6 PART I Biology of the Gastrointestinal Tract
7-10 years
Unclear duration
Fig. 1.4 Multistep models of colorectal cancer based on underlying genetic instability. As shown on the left,
there are 3 major pathways: chromosomal instability (top pathway), microsatellite instability (middle pathway),
and the CpG island methylation, or CIMP (lower pathway). The progression from normal colonic epithelium to
carcinoma is associated with the acquisition of several genetic and epigenetic alterations. In the chromosomal
instability pathway (top pathway), these alterations include the early loss of APC, followed by activation of on-
cogenes (e.g., KRAS) through a point mutation and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes (e.g., APC, TP53)
through a point mutation or deletion. An increasing aggregate number of mutations can be correlated with
progression from early benign adenoma to cancer, as reflected by analysis of polyps by size. In the microsatel-
lite instability model (middle pathway), mutations in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes create a mutator phe-
notype in which mutations accumulate in specific target genes (see section on DNA mismatch repair). Tumors
develop much more rapidly through this pathway than through the chromosomal instability pathway (2-3 years
compared to 7-10 years). Germline mutations in MMR genes account for 5% of all colorectal tumors. In the
CIMP pathway (lower pathway), the initiating event is hypothesized to be a BRAF or KRAS activating muta-
tion that somehow triggers extensive CpG island methylation, particularly of gene promoters, resulting in gene
silencing. Among the potential gene targets is MLH1, a component of the MMR pathway, and when silenced
as part of the CIMP pathway, the tumor evolves along a similar molecular as microsatellite unstable cancers
(MSI-H). Sporadic MLH1 methylation and silencing accounts for nearly 10% of sporadic colorectal cancers.
Alternatively, serrated adenomas arising in the CIMP pathway can undergo a pathway similar to that of chro-
mosomal instability to become microsatellite stable tumors.
activator. Having gained access to the interstitial stromal com- DNA repair genes, which prevent accumulation of new muta-
partment, tumor cells can then enter lymphatic and blood vessels tions. Activation of oncogenes or inactivation of tumor suppres-
and metastasize. sor genes contributes to malignant transformation. Although
In addition to these properties, it has been recognized that most of these genes encode for proteins, many cancer-promoting
cells that undergo EMT acquire not only invasive features but genes that harbor oncogenic and tumor suppressive functions
also CSC-like features.29 do not encode for proteins but rather for RNAs that modulate
One key feature of EMT is the loss of adherens junctions genomic function, so-called noncoding RNAs.
that normally maintain epithelial cell–cell interactions. The
molecular correlate of this phenomenon is the loss of expression
of E-cadherin, a critical component of the adherens junction.30
Oncogenes
Mutations in E-cadherin are common in many GI cancers, par- According to the Catalog of Somatic Mutations in Cancer
ticularly gastric cancer, where germline mutations in E-cadherin (COSMIC),31 there are close to 80 oncogenes with strong evidence
are also linked to hereditary diffuse gastric cancer. of involvement in cancer. Genes that encode a normal cellular pro-
tein, whose function may promote the neoplastic process (e.g., anti-
apoptotic function, cell proliferation stimulation, etc.), may function
NEOPLASIA-ASSOCIATED GENES as oncogenes when they are expressed at inappropriately high levels.
Genes that become altered during the neoplastic process belong A typical mechanism for this phenomenon is gene amplification,
to two distinct groups: (1) oncogenes, which actively confer a when tumors acquire multiple copies of a normal gene resulting in a
growth-promoting property, or (2) tumor suppressor genes, the dosage effect that leads to increased gene expression.
products of which normally restrain growth or proliferation. In other cases, a variety of mutations may lead to inappropri-
An important category within tumor suppressor genes includes ately high activity of a normal gene, leading to cancer-promoting
CHAPTER 1 Cellular Growth and Neoplasia 7
The role of nuclear oncogenes is illustrated by the myc family. only one additional hit is required, leading to the younger age of
The c-Myc protein product is involved in critical cellular func- onset and the potential for tumor multiplicity that accompanies
tions like proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, transformation, these syndromes.
and transcriptional activation of key genes.37 Frequently, c-Myc Although this 2-hit model has been generally observed, there
is overexpressed or amplified in many GI cancers. c-Myc has been are exceptions. Some tumor suppressors may function to increase
found to be a transcriptional target of the α-catenin/TCF-4 com- cancer risk when only one allele is mutated. Moreover, some
plex in colorectal cancers (see Fig. 1.3), which may explain the cancer genetic syndromes display somatic recessive mode of
overexpression of c-Myc observed in this cancer type.38 inheritance because genetic risk is conferred only when biallelic
inactivating mutations are present. Another important feature of
tumor suppressor genes is that they do not function identically
Tumor Suppressor Genes in every tissue type. Consequently, inactivation of a particular
Mutations of tumor suppressor genes are associated with all GI tumor suppressor gene is tumorigenic only in certain tissues. For
cancers, and a number of these genes and their products have example, the tumor suppressor genes RB1 and VHL play crucial
been identified and characterized (Table 1.1). Unlike gain-of- roles in retinoblastomas and renal cell cancer, respectively, but
function mutations, which are characteristic of oncogenes, muta- are rarely mutated in GI malignancies. Tumor suppressor genes
tions in tumor suppressor genes are loss-of-function mutations shown to have a critical role in the pathogenesis of GI malignan-
and are therefore biallelic. cies, APC, TP53, and SMAD4, are described later. Furthermore,
Initial recognition of the existence of tumor suppressor genes we will discuss DNA repair pathways that, when lost, can give rise
was derived from genetic analyses of cancer-prone families. In to neoplasia and therefore function as tumor suppressor factors.
the GI tract, hereditary colon cancer, gastric cancer, and pancre-
atic cancer syndromes are the best described and are discussed
elsewhere in this text (see Chapters 54, 60, and 127). In these
Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Gene
syndromes, there is a marked increase in risk for a particular Genetic linkage analysis revealed markers on chromosome 5q21
tumor in the absence of other predisposing environmental fac- that were tightly linked to polyp development in affected mem-
tors. Tumors arise typically at a younger age than they do in the bers of kindreds with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and
general population, and multiple primary tumors may develop Gardner’s syndrome.40 Further work led to identification of the
within the target tissue. gene responsible for FAP, the APC gene.41-43 The full spectrum
From a genetic standpoint, cancer genetic syndromes most of adenomatous polyposis syndromes attributable to APC is dis-
often have an autosomal dominant mode of mendelian inheri- cussed in detail in Chapter 126. Somatic mutations in APC have
tance. Based on observations in hereditary retinoblastoma, also been found in most sporadic colon polyps and cancers.44,45
Knudson proposed the “2-hit” hypothesis,39 which explains Mutations in APC are characteristically identified in the earliest
the relationship between sporadic and familial forms of cancer. adenomas, indicating that APC plays a critical role as the gate-
Whereas sporadic tumors are initiated by somatic biallelic inac- keeper in the multistep progression from normal epithelial cell to
tivating mutations of a tumor suppressor gene, tumors in familial colon cancer (see Fig. 1.4).
cancer syndromes are accelerated by the inheritance of a monoal- The APC gene comprises 15 exons and encodes a predicted
lelic mutation of a tumor suppressor gene present in all cells in protein of 2843 amino acids, or approximately 310 kDa. Most
affected family members. When this germline mutation is fol- germline and somatic APC gene mutations result in a premature
lowed by a somatic mutation in the remaining normal allele of stop codon and therefore a truncated APC protein product and
the tumor suppressor gene, this gives rise to the development of loss of function. As discussed earlier, APC is a negative regulator
a neoplastic clone that eventually gives rise to a tumor (Fig. 1.6). of the Wnt signaling pathway and its inactivation results in a state
Because of the germline mutation, the likelihood of full inactiva- that resembles constitutive activation of Wnt. Intracellularly,
tion of the tumor suppressor is diminished substantially because
Acquired
Germline somatic
TABLE 1.1 Mutations Associated with Hereditary Gastrointestinal mutation mutation
Cancer Syndromes
TSG X
AFAP, Attenuated FAP; APC, adenomatous polyposis coli; FAP, familial paired chromosome is subsequently inactivated by a somatic mutation,
adenomatous polyposis; HNPCC, hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal leading to tumor formation. In contrast, in a sporadic cancer, the two
cancer; MAP, MUTYH-associated polyposis; MEN1, multiple alleles of the TSG need to become inactivated through two indepen-
endocrine neoplasia, type 1; MUTYH, mutY homolog. dent somatic mutations, an event that is less likely to occur within a
single cell.
CHAPTER 1 Cellular Growth and Neoplasia 9
this is manifested by stabilization of α-catenin, which mediates DNA fragment, fill in the gap with the correct nucleotide, and
the transcriptional effects of Wnt activation and the subsequent finally reseal the remaining nick. The family of DNA mismatch 1
oncogenic phenotype (see Fig. 1.3). Interestingly, another mecha- repair genes includes two basic molecular components, a mis-
nism to achieve this signaling outcome are mutations in α-catenin match recognition complex composed of MSH2 and MSH6, and
itself that render the protein impervious to APC-dependent deg- an excision inducing complex composed of MLH1 and PMS2.
radation. Mutations in any of these genes result in defective mismatch
repair, and when inherited due to a germline mutation, they
give rise to Lynch syndrome, also known as hereditary nonpolypo-
TP53 Gene sis colorectal cancer.55,56 Complete loss of a mismatch repair factor
This is the most commonly mutated gene in human cancer,46 and leads to very high rates of DNA mutations, and mismatch repair
point mutations in TP53 are found with high frequency in all can- defective tumors accumulate a high burden of cancer somatic
cers of the GI tract.47 In fact, point mutations in TP53 have been mutations, typically over 2000 somatic mutations, resulting in a
identified in as many as 50% to 70% of sporadic colon cancers large number of tumor-specific neoantigens.57 Affected cells are
(see Fig. 1.4). Interestingly, these mutations arise relatively late called replication error positive, in contrast to the replication error–
in the oncogenic process as the gene is mutated in only a small negative phenotype.58,59 Because microsatellite DNA sequences
subset of colonic adenomas.48 are primarily affected by this type of genetic instability, the tumor
Named for a 53-kDa-sized gene product, p53 is a nuclear cells display insertions or deletions in these stretches of DNA
phosphoprotein that plays a key role in cell cycle regulation and when compared to nontumor tissue, a phenomenon referred to
apoptosis.47 In the nucleus, p53 functions as a transcription fac- as microsatellite instability. Mechanistically, the absence of DNA
tor which can be induced by conditions of cellular stress, such as repair does not directly cause cancer but creates a milieu that per-
ionizing radiation, growth factor withdrawal, or cytotoxic ther- mits accumulation of mutations in a variety of genes that contain
apy. Induction of p53 arrests cells at the G1 phase to facilitate repetitive DNA sequences, such as the TGF-α type II receptor,
DNA repair, senescence, or trigger apoptosis. These responses IGF type II receptor, BAX, and E2F-4, among others.
are mediated in part by its transcriptional targets such as the Loss of mismatch repair genes represents an important
p21CIP1/WAF1 inhibitor of the cell cycle or the proapoptotic gene, mechanism for the accumulation of mutations within a tumor
PUMA.49 Interestingly, it is often the case that TP53 mutations (see Fig. 1.4). While 5% of colon cancer are due to Lynch syn-
occur as the combination of a genomic deletion encompassing drome, i.e., germline mutations in the mismatch repair system,
one allele, together with a missense mutation in the second allele twice as many tumors (10%) display similar molecular charac-
that targets specific hotspots within the protein. Recent evidence teristics without a germline mutation in any of the mismatch
indicates that the genomic deletions function not only by remov- repair genes. These tumors are most often driven by somatic
ing TP53 but through the loss of adjacent genes with tumor sup- loss of function in this system, most often as a result of silencing
pressive activities.50 Furthermore, the second type of mutations, of MLH1 gene expression as a result of an epigenetic change
resulting in specific missense mutations are thought to contribute in the promoter region of this gene called DNA methylation.
gain-of-function tumorigenic activities.51 In addition to the TP53 MLH1 promoter hypermethylation is most often observed in
point mutations in sporadic cancers, germline TP53 mutations lesions that are serrated adenomas by histology and that also
have been observed in the Li-Fraumeni syndrome, an autosomal carry B-Raf mutations (see Fig. 1.4). Finally, it has been recog-
dominant familial disorder in which breast carcinoma, soft tissue nized that another mechanism that can lead to a state of high
sarcoma, osteosarcoma, leukemia, brain tumor, colon cancer, and mutation burden is the loss of exonuclease proofreading activity
adrenocortical carcinoma can develop in affected persons.52 of the replicative DNA polymerase Pol-ε or Πολ–δ, through a
variety of missense mutations.60
Another important DNA repair pathway involved in carci-
SMAD4 Gene nogenesis is mediated by the MUTYH gene. It encodes a DNA
SMAD4 is a tumor suppressor gene located on chromosome 18q glycosylase that participates in the repair of oxidized guanine
and is deleted or mutated in most pancreatic adenocarcinomas nucleotides, such as 8-oxoguanine residues, that may inappropri-
and a subset of colon cancers. Smad4, the protein encoded by this ately pair with adenines, ultimately leading to somatic G:C→T:A
gene is an essential intracellular mediator of factors belonging to mutations if uncorrected. Biallelic mutations in MUTYH results
the TGF-α superfamily. Smad4 functions as a transcription fac- in an adenomatous polyposis syndrome that resembles FAP,
tor and is an obligate partner of other members of the Smad pro- except that its mode of inheritance is autosomal recessive (see
tein family.53 Mutant Smad4 lacks these properties and among Chapter 126).61,62 Interestingly, G:C→T:A mutations in the APC
other effects, leads to loss of TGF-α inhibition of proliferation. gene were almost universally found in the polyps of patients with
Germline mutations in SMAD4 result in the juvenile polyposis germline MUTYH mutations, indicating that there are impor-
syndrome (see Chapter 126). tant similarities in the molecular pathogenesis of polyps in the
MUTYH and FAP syndromes.
DNA Repair Genes
DNA replication itself and various types of DNA damaging agents
Noncoding RNAs
can introduce errors into the genome. These errors include spon- Our genomes harbor a variety of genes whose products are RNAs
taneous mismatching of nucleotides during normal DNA replica- that do not encode for a protein. The RNA products, termed non-
tion, oxidative damage of nucleotides, and complete double-strand coding RNAs, consist of a broad category of active RNA molecules
breaks. Therefore, a variety of cellular mechanisms have evolved that can mediate a variety of effects. The categories of noncoding
to prevent or correct DNA errors. One type of error that devel- RNAs are rapidly expanding and include so-called microRNAs
ops during replication may occur in repetitive mononucleotide or and long noncoding RNAs, which are frequently dysregulated in
dinucleotide stretches of DNA, so-called microsatellite regions.54 cancers. The microRNAs play a critical role in silencing of other
These repetitive regions are prone to DNA mismatches, which if RNA transcripts via RNA degradation or translational inhibition
not resolved, can result in short insertions or deletions. The cel- and typically regulate dozens of target RNAs at a time. Their
lular machinery devoted to correct these errors is referred to the biogenesis involves conventional gene transcription, followed by
mismatch repair system. The enzymes bind mismatched DNA, processing of the resulting RNA by a variety of nuclease cleavage
cut the DNA strand with the mismatched nucleotide, unwind the events, resulting ultimately in the generation of small interfering
10 PART I Biology of the Gastrointestinal Tract
RNAs (siRNAs) by the protein Dicer. These siRNAs bind to its mesenchymal cells, its vasculature, a variety of immune cells
complementary mRNA sequences, and this binding determines recruited to the tumor and particularly in tumors of the intes-
the specificity for RNA targets. Long noncoding RNAs may per- tinal tract, and tumor-associated microbiota which contribute
form diverse functions like gene silencing, splicing, and extension significantly to the tumor microenvironment. In addition, these
of telomeres. elements acting in concert lead to a metabolic environment, such
as the oxygen and nutrient supply of the tumor, that often plays
a significant role in the evolution of the tumor at the primary site
Oncogenic Signaling Pathways and its potential for distant metastasis.
Individual oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes do not necessar-
ily induce cellular transformation directly but typically function
in concert with one another as components of larger oncogenic
TUMOR METABOLISM
signaling pathways already discussed. Some of the pathways that Tumor cells exhibit abnormal metabolic profiles to facilitate their
are particularly relevant for GI tumorigenesis include the Wnt growth and anabolic needs. Observations in 1924 from Nobel
and Ras signaling pathways. These are pathways that regulate Laureate Otto Heinrich Warburg revealed that tumor cells dis-
normal tissue homeostasis but become oncogenic when the sig- played dramatic increases in aerobic glycolysis and diminished
nals are transduced in an aberrant or amplified manner. The key mitochondrial respiration. This metabolic state, known as the
features of Wnt signaling are illustrated in Fig. 1.3. α-Catenin is Warburg effect, has been validated and is a hallmark feature of
translocated from the inner plasma membrane to the cytoplasm. most malignancies.66 It is becoming increasingly clear that inte-
There, it forms a macromolecular complex with the APC pro- gration of the genetic lesions that characterize cancer formation
tein Axin and glycogen synthase kinase-3α. Phosphorylation of is responsible for the changes in cellular metabolism that accom-
α-catenin by glycogen synthase kinase-3α triggers its degradation. pany cellular transformation. Many of the genes implicated in GI
In the presence of an active Wnt signal, α-catenin is stabilized cancers (p53, K-Ras, PI3K, mTOR, HIF, Myc) can in fact regulate
and enters the nucleus, where it interacts with the transcription metabolic pathways. Moreover, germline mutations in metabolic
factor Tcf-4 to up-regulate a number of key target genes, includ- regulators (e.g., subunits of succinate dehydrogenase) that are not
ing c-Myc, cyclin D1, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). classical oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes have been associ-
As discussed earlier, Wnt signaling is essential for regulating ated with a high risk of tumorigenesis (pheochromocytoma and
proliferation of normal intestinal epithelium, and dysregulated paraganglioma).67,68 The selection advantage of increased glycol-
Wnt signaling is an almost universal feature of all colorectal can- ysis in cancer cells may include greater tolerance to hypoxic envi-
cers. The latter can result from a mutation in the APC, Axin, or ronments and shunting of metabolic byproducts (e.g., lactate) to
α-catenin genes, although alterations in the APC tumor suppres- other biosynthetic pathways. These altered metabolic pathways
sor gene are the most common. An alteration in just one of these are promising new targets for therapy.
components is sufficient to activate the entire pathway. Thus, it is
essential to consider individual genetic alterations in the context
of the overall signaling pathway in which they function.
Inflammation and Cancer
Because pathways are typically not linear, additional levels of Immune cells recruited to the tumor microenvironment can result
complexity arise. There is frequent overlap among pathways, and in a variety of effects. On the one hand, tumor immune surveil-
the distinction between pathways can be somewhat arbitrary. For lance is well recognized and immunosuppressed states increase
example, mutations in the K-ras oncogene result in activation of the risk of cancer development. On the other hand, a number of
multiple distinct signaling pathways, including Raf/ERK/MAPK, cellular elements of hematopoietic origin can promote primary
PI3K/Akt, and nuclear factor-κB, all of which play an important tumor growth, prevent effective immune surveillance, or pro-
role in tumorigenesis (see Fig. 1.5). Crosstalk between these mote the acquisition of features of neoplastic cells that facilitate
effector pathways serves to modulate the cellular responses fur- metastasis. Myeloid cells with immature characteristics, so-called
ther. For example, Akt, a target of PI3K, can phosphorylate Raf myeloid-derived suppressor cells, are an important example of
and thereby regulate signaling through the MAPK pathway.63 this phenomenon.69
Finally, each of these signaling pathways regulates multiple bio- In addition, a number of chronic inflammatory conditions
logical processes related to tumorigenesis,64 including cell cycle increase the site-specific risk of cancer; examples of this include
progression, apoptosis, senescence, angiogenesis, and invasion. ulcerative colitis (see Chapter 115), chronic gastritis (see Chap-
Another pathway that plays a particularly important role ter 52), chronic pancreatitis (see Chapter 59), Barrett’s esopha-
in GI tumors is the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) pathway. The gus (see Chapter 47), and chronic viral hepatitis (see Chapters
enzyme COX-2 is a key regulator of prostaglandin synthesis that 79 and 80). The influences of inflammation on the development
is induced in inflammation and neoplasia. Although no mutations of neoplasia are multifaceted and complex. Cytokines produced
of COX-2 have been described, overexpression of COX-2 in by inflammatory cells can lead to activation of antiapoptotic and
colonic adenomas and cancers is associated with tumor progres- pro-proliferative signals in tumor cells mediated by transcrip-
sion and angiogenesis (see Fig. 1.4), primarily through induction tion factors such as nuclear factor-κB and STAT3.70,71 Immune
of prostaglandin E2 synthesis. Inhibition of COX-2 with a vari- cells may also promote remodeling of the vascular network and
ety of agents (aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or promote angiogenesis (discussed later). Inflammation may also
COX-2 selective inhibitors such as celecoxib) is associated with a induce DNA damage from cytokine-stimulated production of
reduced risk of colorectal adenomas and cancer.65 reactive oxygen species.
fast colonic transit times generally exhibit a lower incidence of misexpression of intronic sequences. These types of changes are
colorectal cancer than populations with low fiber intake and relatively easy to interpret and adjudicate. Missense changes are
delayed transit. The incidence of colorectal cancer in Japanese those that result in a change in the amino acid encoded by the
immigrants to the United States who consume a Western diet is codon. Given the normal genetic variation present in the human
much higher than that of native Japanese who consume a tradi- population, understanding whether these changes are deleteri-
tional Japanese diet.83 ous can be quite difficult to accomplish. When the effect of such
variants is not known, these are referred as “variants of unknown
significance.” Important limitations of exome sequencing at the
MOLECULAR MEDICINE: CURRENT AND FUTURE present time include variants of unknown significance adjudi-
APPROACHES IN GASTROINTESTINAL ONCOLOGY cation, detection of copy number variants and large rearrange-
ments, and the potential for intronic or promoter mutations not
Next Generation Sequencing detectable by exome capture strategies.
DNA sequencing relies on polymerase-mediated strand synthesis
and the detection of the incorporated nucleotides throughout the
successive steps of the chemical reaction, by a variety of physico-
Molecular Diagnostics
chemical methods. The ability to monitor billions of reactions Genetic testing is a powerful tool to identify high-risk families
simultaneously, so-called massively parallel sequencing, along and define the cancer risk for individual family members. Today,
with the ability to computationally assemble short sequence sequencing panels that assess most of the genes associated with
reads into a continuous long read, have revolutionized sequenc- familial cancer syndromes are commercially available. Application
ing technologies. These new approaches, often referred to as of genetic testing must take into consideration the sensitivity and
next generation sequencing (NGS), are finding their way into specificity of the assay as well as issues of patient confidentiality
the clinical care of patients with cancer in a variety of settings.84 and potential impact on medical insurability. Because these tests
First, sequencing of germline DNA is increasingly used to define rely on target enrichment, it is important to be aware of their
if a patient may have a cancer genetic syndrome. Secondly, these potential limitations. For these reasons, genetic counseling is an
technologies can be applied to determine the mutational land- essential component of the genetic testing process.
scape of a tumor to guide treatment decisions. In addition to genetic germline testing, molecular phenotyping
The extent of DNA sequencing may involve the entire of tumors for the purpose of guiding therapeutic decisions is impor-
genome. Whole genome sequencing uses DNA from a defined tant. To detect tumors due to defects in mismatch repair, testing for
source without any step of enrichment or selection. Another MSI can be performed on archived colon tumor samples.85 In addi-
method is to subject the sample to preliminary step of enrich- tion, loss of immunohistochemical staining for any of the 4 pro-
ment, where areas of interest are extracted from the sample, teins required for mismatch repair (MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, MSH6)
using hybridization methods and primer libraries, with the goal may provide similar information. Studies have demonstrated that
of decreasing the complexity of the sample and increasing the the MSI status of a colon tumor is predictive of the response to
number of reads possible during the sequencing reaction. With 5-fluorouracil–based chemotherapy.86,87 More recently, it has been
greater number of reads available, so-called reading depth, the shown that mismatch repair–deficient tumors, due to their high
accuracy of sequencing increases and the cost is also reduced. The burden of somatic mutations and tumor neoantigens, are highly
most common enrichment method is to focus on the areas of the responsive to immune checkpoint inhibition therapy.88
genome known to harbor genes, collectively referred to as the Therapies that target specific signaling pathways are likely to
exome, which corresponds to about 1% of the entire genome. For increase as our molecular understanding of GI cancers increases.
certain applications, subsets of genes from the entire exome may Antibodies that target EGF receptors and block the EGF recep-
be the only ones enriched for sequencing, and this is the basis for tor signaling pathway have proved therapeutic benefit in colorec-
NGS-based diagnostic tests that focus on gene panels relevant tal cancer. However, their benefit has been shown only in cancers
to cancer. Because NGS involves short reads that are computa- lacking activating mutations in K-ras. Testing for K-ras muta-
tionally assembled into predicted long reads, this technology is tions in colorectal cancers is now standard of care before admin-
insensitive to gene inversions, large insertions, or generally copy istration of such targeted therapy. In addition, small molecule
number variants that affect one allele. tyrosine kinase inhibitors of the c-KIT oncogene now consti-
tute routine treatment of GI stromal tumors (see Chapter 33).89
Molecular techniques may also find a role in the staging of dis-
Cancer and Tumor Genomics ease. For example, capture of small numbers of circulating tumor
As genetic information is obtained from sequencing analy- cells prior to the discovery of metastasis may yield prognostic and
sis, understanding the potential impact of the genetic changes therapeutic benefits.90 Finally, as more tests for genetic markers
observed becomes an important challenge. Single nucleotide vari- become available, monitoring for disease recurrence after surgery
ants refer to changes in a single base pair of the genetic code may become another important application.
compared to a reference sequence. Nonsense mutations refer to the
introduction of a premature stop codon. Single nucleotide vari- Full references for this chapter can be found on www.expertconsult.com .
CHAPTER OUTLINE
toxins from products that may benefit the body such as molecules
derived from food or commensal bacteria. To achieve homeo-
IMMUNOGLOBULINS OF THE MUCOSAL SURFACE �����������13
stasis, unusual cell types, immunoglobulins (Igs), and secreted
PHYSIOLOGY OF MUCOSAL IMMUNE CELLS 15
���������������������
mediators function in a coordinated fashion. In contrast to the
FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY OF THE MUCOSAL systemic immune system, whose focus is to act quickly within
IMMUNE SYSTEM �������������������������������������������������������������15 seconds of encountering a foreign antigen, the mucosal immune
system is poised to respond but is predominantly tolerant,3,4
Peyer Patches and M Cells ���������������������������������������������15
rejecting harmful antigens but allowing beneficial/harmless ones
Intestinal Epithelial Cells�������������������������������������������������16 to persist without evoking harmful immune responses such as
Recognition of Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns allergic reactions or inflammation.
by Pattern Recognition Receptors �������������������������������18 Billions of activated plasma cells, memory T cells, memory B
ANTIGEN PRESENTATION IN THE GUT 18
�������������������������������
cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells reside in the LP, but sig-
nificant active inflammation is not present. This phenomenon has
EFFECTOR COMPARTMENTS WITHIN THE GUT IMMUNE been called controlled or physiologic inflammation (Fig. 2.1). Impor-
SYSTEM 19
�����������������������������������������������������������������������������
IELs
↓Cellular responses
Bacteria
DC
Tight
junctions Defensins Treg
Goblet HBD-2, 3, 4
cell SlgA
J Lymphocytes
Macrophage
LPMC
α4β7
integrin
Blood vessels
Fig. 2.1 Mechanisms for damping mucosal immune responses. The intestine uses a number of distinct mech-
anisms to dampen mucosal immune responses. The major source of antigen in the intestine is the commensal
bacterial flora, but both innate and adaptive responses control local responses. Physical barriers like mucins
secreted by goblet cells and tight junctions between epithelial cells prevent invasion by luminal flora (circle
inset). Defensins like HBD-2, -3, and -4 are thought to maintain sterility of the crypt, whereas secretory im-
munoglobulin A produced by local plasma cells prevents attachment and invasion by luminal bacteria, thereby
reducing antigenic load. Even with antigenic challenge, intestinal lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic
cells are programmed to not respond as a consequence of decreased expression of pattern recognition recep-
tors (e.g., Toll-like receptors) and a decrease in the ability of lymphocytes to be activated through their antigen
receptor. Egress of circulating lymphocytes from blood vessels such as high endothelial venules is directed by
the integrin α4β7, which recognizes the addressin MAdCAM-1, is also shown. DC, dendritic cell; HBD, human
β-defensin; IELs, intraepithelial lymphocytes; LPMC, lamina propria mononuclear cells; MAdCAM, mucosal
addressin cell adhesion molecule; SIgA, secretory immunoglobulin A, a dimer with a connecting J chain; Treg,
T regulatory cells (formerly known as suppressor T cells).
as poliovirus.47 Antigens that bind to the M cell and are trans- The M cell is a conduit to Peyer patches and lymphoid folli-
ported to the underlying Peyer patches generally elicit a positive cles. Antigens transcytosed across the M cell and into the sub-epi-
(SIgA) response. Thus M cells appear to be critical for the ini- thelial pocket are taken up by macrophages and DCs and carried
tial positive aspects of mucosal immunity.48,49 However, certain into the Peyer patch. Once antigens enter the Peyer patch, TGF-
pathogens or their toxins may exploit M cells and use M cell tran- β-secreting T cells promote B cell isotype switching to IgA.
scytosis to penetrate the intestinal mucosa. Induction of M cell differentiation is dependent on direct contact
between the epithelium and Peyer patch lymphocytes,45,50 medi-
ated, at least in part, by the expression of NOTCH receptors and
ligands.51 In the absence of Peyer patch B cells, M cells are not
present, as M cells have not been identified in B cell–deficient
E animals, which lack Peyer patches. The Peyer patches have T
cell-dependent areas and B cell-dependent/germinal centers typi-
cal of lymph nodes, but only efferent lymphatics.
E E After activation in the Peyer patch, lymphocytes are induced
to express specific integrins (α4β7) that provide a homing signal
for mucosal sites where the endothelial ligand is MadCAM-1.52,53
L Lymphocytes exit the Peyer patch, traffic to the MLN and then
the thoracic duct, into the main intestinal lymphatic drainage
system, which empties into the circulation (Fig. 2.5). There,
mucosally activated cells with their mucosal “addressins” circu-
late in the bloodstream to exit in high endothelial venules in vari-
ous mucosal sites.54 Cells bearing α4β7 molecules exit in the LP,
where they undergo terminal differentiation. Chemokines and
L
their receptors (discussed later) as well as adhesion molecules and
ligands help direct this trafficking pattern.
L
Intestine
Tonsil/Eye/Ear
Villi
Lumen
Follicle-associated
epithelium Mammary
gland
Peyer’s patch
Genitourinary
tract Fig. 2.5 Mucosal lymphocyte migration. Following
Circulation antigenic stimulation, T and B lymphocytes migrate
Respiratory from the intestine (Peyer patch) to the draining
Mesenteric tract mesenteric lymph nodes, where they further dif-
lymph node ferentiate and then reach the systemic circulation
Thoracic via the thoracic duct. Cells bearing appropriate
duct
mucosal addressins then selectively home to muco-
sal surfaces that constitute the common mucosa-
associated lymphoid tissue, including the intestinal
immune system.
CHAPTER 2 Mucosal Immunology and Inflammation 17
Luminal 2
bacteria
Food or bacterial
antigen
Inflammation
↑paracellular
transport
Tight junction
Stress response/
homeostasis? γδ TCR MICA/MICB αβ TCR Homeostasis?
CD2
CD4+ or CD8+ IEL
Autoregulatory CD4+ IEL
or suppressor β2m MHC
population? αβ TCR CD1d class I αβ TCR Cytolytic or
CD8 CD8 suppressor
gp180 MHC
CD8+ CD1d activity?
class II CD86 CD8+ IEL
CD28− IEL β2m gp180 CD58
αβ TCR αβ TCR
CD28 CD28+
αβ TCR αβ TCR
CD4+ CD8 CD2 CD4+ LPL
CD25+ LPL
CD8+ CD4+ LPL
CD28− LPL
Tolerance?
Autoregulatory Inflammation?
or suppressor
population?
Fig. 2.6 A normal intestinal epithelial cell (IEC). The IEC is shown to express classic MHC molecules (classes
I and II) that have the potential to present conventional antigen to local T cell populations and a broad array of
nonclassic class I molecules (e.g., CD1d, MICA/MICB, and β2m [shown in the figure] and MR-1, ULBP, and
HLA-E), which have the potential to present unconventional antigens to unique T cell populations. In addi-
tion, alternate pathways of activation appear to be functional in the intestine (e.g., activation via a CD58-CD2
interaction), and classic co-stimulatory molecules are not expressed on IECs, although CD86 may be induced
in patients with UC. Other members of the B7 family are expressed, such as PO-L1 (CD274) and ICOS-L
(CD275), and may play a role in local T cell activation. β2 microglobin (β2m) associates with MHC class I,
CD1d, HLA-E, HLA-G, and FcRn. β2m, β2 microglobulin; gp180, membrane glycoprotein 180 (a CD8 ligand);
IEL, intraepithelial lymphocyte; LPL, lamina propria lymphocyte; MHC, major histocompatibility complex; MICA/
MICB, MHC class I-related chains A and B; TCR, T cell receptor.
high concentration of the latter close to the epithelium. A variety as well as their contribution to innate and adaptive T and B cell
of cytokines increase Muc-2 expression, including IL-1β, IL-4, responses in both intestinal inflammation and homeostasis, has
IL-6, IL-13, and TNF-α. Several metalloproteinases, including been demonstrated in several murine models.70,71
ADAM-10 and ADAM-17, as well as meprin-23, are involved in In contrast, some bacteria induce anti-inflammatory cytokine
the release of mucin proteins into the intestinal lumen. Goblet production (e.g., IL-10) and increase expression of peroxisome
cells also selectively produce trefoil factor-3 (TFF-3), which can proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR)-γ by IECs.72,73 Further-
influence mucus viscosity and is important in epithelial repair more, other bacterial products (e.g., from Bacteriodes thetaiotaomi-
after injury. Mice deficient in TFF-3 are highly susceptible to cron) help promote the barrier and IEC differentiation.74
dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) colitis due to an inability to heal
the lesions. Innate immune cells also interact with goblet cells
increasing their number by stimulating enterocytes to differen-
ANTIGEN PRESENTATION IN THE GUT
tiate into goblet cells. ILC2-derived IL-13 and ILC3-derived Effective immune responses to antigenic proteins require the help
IL-22 have been implicated in increasing goblet cell hyperplasia of T lymphocytes. This in turn depends on the antigen being pre-
and mucin production. sented by APCs that internalize, digest, and couple a small frag-
Goblet cells also serve to transmit antigen across the epithelial ment of the antigen to a surface major histocompatibility complex
layer through goblet-associated antigen passages (GAPs). Solu- [MHC] heterodimer that eventually interacts with either CD4+
ble antigens and bacteria have been shown to cross goblet cells T cell receptor (MHC class II) or CD8+ T cell receptor (MHC
and be presented to subjacent CD103+ CX3CR1− tolerogenic class I). Multiple cells in the intestinal mucosa can act as APCs,
DCs. CD103+ DCs then migrate to the mesenteric lymph node including DCs, macrophages, and B cells. The ability of these
where they induce antigen-specific T regulatory (Treg) cells. cells to present antigen to CD4 T cells depends on the expres-
Thus GAPs appear to contribute to the maintenance of intestinal sion of class II MHC on their surface. Class II MHC molecules
homeostasis.58 are also present on the epithelium of the normal small intestine
and to a lesser extent colonocytes in both humans and rodents.
In vitro studies have demonstrated that isolated enterocytes from
Tuft Cells rat and human small intestine can present antigens to previously
Tuft cells are a type of epithelial cell that is infrequent in the primed T cells,75,76 raising the possibility that the intestinal IECs
normal intestine but are increased in number during parasite may present peptides to T cells that are localized below the epi-
infection. Tuft cells are identified by a distinct morphology, thelium. Thus IECs are capable of both antigen processing and
characterized by microvilli projecting from the apical membrane, presentation in the appropriate context to cells within the LP.
and a distinguishing phenotype, characterized by ATOH1 and Interestingly, bidirectional lymphocyte-epithelial crosstalk exists
Neurog 3 expression. Tuft cells express genes associated with in the LP, and LP lymphocytes (LPLs) promote mucosal barrier
taste receptors (see Chapter 4) and are able to discern helminths function via Notch-1 signaling and induction of IEC differentia-
in the intestinal lumen via these chemosensors. Tuft cells pro- tion, polarization, and barrier function.77 Importantly, increased
duce the cytokine IL-25, which activates type 2 innate lymphoid expression of MHC class II molecules by IECs has been reported
cells (ILC2) to produce IL-13 that in turn stimulates mucin pro- in IBD,78,79 which likely increases the potential of IECs to acti-
duction and helps clear the parasite. ILC2-produced IL-13 pro- vate lymphocytes.80,81
vides a positive feedback loop by increasing the number of tuft Interestingly, drugs used to treat IBD (e.g., 5-aminosalicylate
cells.59,60 [5-ASA] preparations) may reduce IEC MHC class II expres-
sion.82 In addition to MHC class II expression, IECs in normal
Recognition of Pathogen-Associated Molecular subjects and IBD patients express a variety of co-stimulatory
molecules required for T cell activation (see Fig. 2.6). These
Patterns by Pattern Recognition Receptors molecules include intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1,
Classical antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in the systemic immune which binds to leukocyte function associated antigen (LFA)-l on
system possess the innate capacity to recognize highly conserved the T cell and ICOS ligand and PD-L1. CD86 (B7-2), which
pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) on bacteria and binds to CD28 and CTLA-4,83 is expressed by IECs in ulcerative
viruses. Receptors for PAMPs are expressed on both the APC colitis. Interestingly, unique expression of these co-stimulatory
surface (e.g., TLRs) and intracellularly (e.g., nuclear oligomer- molecules by IECs may be involved in the distinct regulation of
ization domain [NOD] receptors). Although IECs are exposed to mucosal responses. Small intestinal IECs do not express CD80
large numbers of luminal bacteria, they retain the ability to recog- (B7-1),84 and thus activation of naive T cells by IECs is improb-
nize some components of these bacteria. IEC pro-inflammatory able, aiding in the downregulation of T cell responses. However,
responses are downregulated in the normal setting. For example, increased expression during intestinal inflammation may serve to
IECs do not respond to bacteria lipopolysaccharide (LPS) due to augment T cell stimulation.85
the absence of TLR4, the LPS receptor. However, the expression MHC class I and non-classical class I molecules are also
of other pattern recognition receptors is maintained, including expressed by IECs. Thus antigen presentation to certain T
expression of TLR5, which recognizes bacterial flagellin.61 TLR5 cell populations is possible and has been reported by several
is expressed basolaterally and is positioned to identify organisms groups.86-88 Specifically, CD1d expressed on human IECs is able
such as Salmonella species that have invaded the epithelial layer.62 to present antigen (in a complex with CEACAM5) to CD8+ T
After invasion and engagement of TLR5, the intestinal epithe- cells.89-91 CD1d-restricted natural killer T (NKT) cells, effec-
lium is induced to secrete a broad array of cytokines and chemo- tor memory cells that share characteristics of innate and adaptive
kines that attract inflammatory cells to the local environment to lymphocytes, are among the earliest responders in immune reac-
control the spread of infection. tions and affect activation of other immune cell lineages such as
Intracellular NOD1 and NOD2 have been shown to contribute NK cells, T cells, and B cells. NKT cells participate in immune
to intestinal inflammation. About 25% of Crohn disease patients responses in infectious, malignant, and immune-mediated dis-
have mutations in the NOD2/CARD15 gene, interfering with eases.92 Other non-classical class I molecules are expressed by
their ability to mount an appropriate immune response to bacterial IECs. The role of MICA, a stress-induced MHC-related mol-
stimuli (see Chapter 115).63-68 In addition, TLRs that are normally ecule expressed on normal IECs and recognized by the NKG2D-
weakly expressed by IECs are expressed at higher levels on IECs activating receptor on CD8+ T cells, T cells, and NK cells, may
from patients with IBD.69 Expression of different TLRs by IECs, be of specific importance, since Crohn disease patients have
CHAPTER 2 Mucosal Immunology and Inflammation 19
increased numbers of CD4+NKG2D+ T cells with a Th1 cyto- Lamina Propria Lymphocytes and Mononuclear
kine profile in the intestinal mucosa.93 2
In humans, IECs specifically activate CD8+ Treg cells, which Cells
are involved in local tolerance and interaction with CD8+ IECs. The LP is the major effector site in gut mucosa, containing an
The role of IECs in the regulation of mucosal immunity is best abundance of antigen-experienced memory T cells. LPLs are
demonstrated in studies with IBD tissues. IECs derived from IBD more prone to undergo apoptosis than their peripheral counter-
patients, in contrast to those derived from normal subjects, stimu- parts, a potential regulatory mechanism that limits the inflam-
late CD4+ T cells in vitro rather than regulatory CD8+ cells.80,81,94 matory effects of activated lymphocytes. In inflammatory bowel
Furthermore, oral antigen administration does not result in toler- diseases such as Crohn disease, LPLs resist apoptosis.
ance in IBD patients but causes active immunity.95 Clearly the mucosal LP operates under a distinct set of rules
compared to the systemic immune system, reflected in its func-
EFFECTOR COMPARTMENTS WITHIN THE GUT tional anatomy (no organized structure) and its responses and
regulation. Highly specialized cells mediate these effects, some
IMMUNE SYSTEM detected only in the LP.
Two lymphocyte populations, IELs and LPLs, reside in the Lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs) are a heteroge-
intestinal mucosa. The compartmentalization of these two dis- neous group of cells107 (see Fig. 2.1). A prevalent cell type is the
tinct cell populations correlates with their ability to respond to IgA+ plasma cell, but more than 50% of LPMCs are T cells and
distinct microenvironmental cues. B cells (together comprising the LPL population), in addition to
macrophages and DCs. In contrast to IELs, LPLs express the
mucosal addressin, but similar to IELs, LPLs express an acti-
Intraepithelial Lymphocytes vated memory phenotype and do not proliferate in response to
IELs form one of the main branches of the intestinal immune engagement of the TCR. Alternate pathways of LPL activation
system, balancing protective immunity with support of epithe- are mainly through CD2 and CD28.103,108
lial barrier integrity. In the small intestine, IELs are more than In the healthy mucosa, LPMCs are downregulated for the
98% T cells and mostly CD8+,96-98 including CD8+α T cells, ability to respond to antigen stimulation via the TCR and have
as well as CD4+CD8+ double-positive, and CD4−CD8− double- an increased tendency to undergo apoptosis if activated inap-
negative cells. Greater numbers of these cells also express the propriately, dampening responses to normal luminal contents.
γδ T cell receptor (TCR), in contrast to the αβ TCR expressed The mechanism underlying the increased apoptosis may relate
by CD8+ T cells in systemic immune system.99 Roughly half to engagement of the death receptor Fas and its ligand on acti-
of murine small bowel IELs express the γδ TCR,100 whereas vated LPLs and the imbalance between the intracellular anti- and
both the murine and human large intestine contain primarily pro-apoptotic factors, Bcl2 and Bax. Defects in this pro-apoptotic
αβ CD4+ or αβ CD8+ T cells similar to those present in the balance have been reported in Crohn disease.109,110
systemic immune system. Together, the above-described mechanisms contribute to
Based on their phenotype, IELs are classified into two sub- controlled/physiologic inflammation, which characterizes healthy
sets: induced IELs (iIELs), including TCRαβ T cells selected in intestinal mucosa. When regulatory mechanisms are disrupted,
the thymus by conventional MHC class I and II, and natural uncontrolled inflammation occurs, as in the mucosa of patients with
IELs, including TCRαβ CD8+αα, TCRγδ double-positive, and IBD.
TCRγδ double-negative cells.101 Both subpopulations are cyto-
lytic, killing via granzyme or by engagement of Fas, and secrete
Th1 cytokines. However, iIELs can transfer protection against
T Cell Differentiation
a variety of pathogenic organisms, whereas natural IELs are In GALT (see Fig. 2.5), B and T lymphocytes interact with anti-
unable to transfer immunologic protection and do not possess gen sampled via M cells in the overlying FAE. Activation and
immunologic memory. This difference may be due to natural maturation of T lymphocytes from naive Th0 cells to distinct Th
IEL activation by IECs in situ by non-classical MHC mol- subpopulations is strongly influenced by the microenvironment,
ecules rather than by the polymorphic MHC-expressed mol- particularly the microbiota, and by responses to pathogens. Viral
ecules on professional APCs that activate iIELs.100 Both IEL infections induce CD4 Th1 cells, whereas parasitic colonization
subsets express molecules present on natural killer (NK) cells. induces the CD4+ Th2 subset. CD4+ Th17 effector cells respond
IELs express a variety of activation markers and are CD45RO+ to extracellular bacteria and fungi. The microbiota shapes the
(memory cells). IELs also express the integrin, which is induced mucosal T cell response. For example, in mice, the commensal
by TGF-β and E-cadherin on IECs.102 Isolated, IELs are dif- known as segmented filamentous bacteria (Candidatus arthromitis)
ficult to activate through their TCR and barely proliferate, even selectively induces Th17 CD4 cells.8
in response to potent stimuli,98 and may be activated by alterna- DCs, professional APCs within the GALT and their secreted
tive pathways (e.g., via CD2). mediators skew T lymphocytes to one of several effector cells.
iIELs secrete an array of cytokines different from the ones Th1 cells secreting IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α develop when
secreted by their peripheral blood counterparts.98,103-105 A broad DCs secrete the IL-12/p35-40 heterodimer,111 which induces
spectrum of cytokines are produced by IELs, including IFN-γ, activation and phosphorylation of the transcription factor
TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TGF-β, keratinocyte growth STAT-4 (signal transducer and activator of transcription factor
factor (KGF), and IL-17, with important effects on intestinal bar- 4). STAT-4 in turn induces IFN-γ expression and production.
rier function and local immune responses.106 IFN-γ induces activation of STAT-1 and consequently of T box
Functionally, IELs may kill epithelial cells that have under- expressed in T cells (T-bet), which is the master transcription
gone stress due to infection, transformation, or invasion by factor that induces Th1 cytokine and IL-12 receptor β2 produc-
other cells.100 Alternatively, IELs have been proposed to sup- tion, while simultaneously suppressing Th2 cytokine production.
press local immune cells, although the evidence that they actu- Thus a cycle promoting Th1 and suppressing Th2 responses is
ally function in luminal antigen recognition is weak. IELs do created. Activation of T-bet is possibly an essential step for Th1-
not traffic in and out of the epithelium. Rather, epithelial cells mediated mucosal diseases, such as those seen in some patients
move over the IELs as the epithelial cells move from the crypt with Crohn disease. Another important Th1-promoting cytokine
to the villus surface. Thus IELs likely serve as sentinels for epi- is IL-18. IL-18 mediates its effects on T cells through augmenta-
thelial integrity. tion of IL-12Rβ2 chain expression, AP-1(c-fos/c-jun)-dependent
20 PART I Biology of the Gastrointestinal Tract
transactivation of the IFN-γ promoter, and activation of nuclear the SCFA.129-131 SCFA such as butyrate, rather than glucose, are
factor κB (NF-κB.111 the major nutritional fuel of enterocytes. Thus depletion of bac-
In contrast, when IL-4 is secreted by DCs or other mucosal teria producing SCFA, which has been identified in IBD, could
cells, Th2 cytokine production (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10, have multiple detrimental effects, both on the epithelium and on
IL-13) occurs by activation of STAT-6 followed by activation Treg function. In mice, deficiency of the effector cytokines of
of the master transcription factor GATA-3. GATA-3 is capable Tregs, such as TGF-β and IL-10, results in colitis. Deficiency of
of promoting the expression of several Th2 cytokines, including IL-10 and/or its receptor, by inactivating mutations in humans,
IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. In addition to IL-4, IL-13 also plays an results in early onset IBD.132 Tregs and their effector cytokines
important role in Th2 development and IgE synthesis in an IL-4– are thus crucial for maintaining homeostasis in the intestine by
independent fashion. These cytokines appear to contribute to the potentially controlling pathogenic innate and adaptive responses.
development of food allergies (see Chapter 10). IL-5 induces B The biology of T cell lineages in the LP is complex, related in
cells expressing surface IgA to differentiate into IgA-producing part to the plasticity of these cell populations. Under specific cir-
plasma cells. IL-6 causes a marked increase in IgA secretion, with cumstances, Th17 cells may become Th1 cells. Moreover, regu-
little effect on either IgM or IgG synthesis. latory Foxp3+ cells expressing Th17 cytokines and having potent
A third important LP CD4 subset are Th17 cells. The Th1- suppressor activity in vitro were recently identified in humans.125
polarizing cytokine IL-12, composed of the p40 and p35 sub- These findings suggest that a degree of plasticity in vivo exists in
units, has similarities with the Th17-polarizing cytokine IL-23, all known T cell subsets, reflected in their capacity to produce
composed of p40 and a unique p19 subunit. The possibility that specific cytokines depending on the microenvironment. Th17
some of the inflammatory activity previously attributed to an cells play a homeostatic role in gut mucosa,133 which may con-
IL-12–driven Th1 pathway might actually be an IL-23–driven tribute to the failure of anti-IL-17A monoclonal antibody ther-
Th17 pathway was supported by studies showing that intestinal apy in active Crohn disease.134,135 Addressing the complexity of
inflammation was still possible when IL-12 was inhibited, and the LP milieu with its vast amounts of mediators and effectors,
that inhibition of IL-23, rather than IL12, ameliorated inflam- including the microbiota, will likely contribute to better designed
mation.112-116 In Crohn disease, expression of both IL-12 and therapeutic strategies to modify intestinal inflammation.
IL-23 is increased, and inhibition of the common p40 subunit
of IL-12 and IL-23 was beneficial in clinical studies in Crohn
disease patients117,118 Th17 cells express retinoid-related orphan
Innate Lymphoid Cells
receptor-γt (RORγt), which is the master transcription factor for The recently identified innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) produce T
these cells. In addition to RORγt, human Th17 cells express IL- helper (Th) cell–associated cytokines but do not express a T cell
23R, CCR6, and CD161, whereas they lack CXCR3, a chemokine receptor or cell-surface markers that are associated with other
receptor characteristic of Th1 cells.119-122 The main effector cyto- immune cell lineages. Thus ILCs are lineage marker-negative,
kines secreted by Th17 cells are IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, IL-22, and their immune response is not antigen-specific. ILCs are
IL-26, TNF-α, and the chemokine CCL20. Human Th17 cells effectors of innate immunity and regulators of tissue modeling.
differentiate under the influence of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-21, IL-23, ILCs have several subpopulations with distinct cytokine expres-
and TGF-β.121 In humans, not all Th17 cells produce IL-22, and sion patterns that resemble the helper T cell subsets Th1, Th2,
a Th22 subset of CD4 helper T cells that produces IL-22 but and Th17.136
not IL-17 has been identified.122 IL-17 promotes recruitment Group 1 ILCs include ILC1 cells and NK cells. ILC1 cells
and activation of neutrophils, whereas IL-22 promotes mucosal express the transcription factor T-bet and respond to IL-12 by
healing through epithelial proliferation and increased mucus pro- producing IFN-γ. They differ from NK cells in that they do not
duction.123 express the NK cell markers CD16 and CD94 and lack perforin
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are abundant in the intestine and, and granzyme B. ILC1 cells are increased in the inflamed intes-
similar to CD4 effector cells, are also comprised of subsets, which tine of Crohn disease patients, suggesting a role for ILC1 cells in
are distributed unevenly along the length of the bowel, reflect- the pathogenesis of intestinal inflammation.
ing the different microenvironments.124 The major Treg subset Group 2 ILCs include ILC2 cells, which are also termed natu-
expresses the transcription factor, Foxp3. Foxp3+ Tregs are gen- ral helper cells, nuocytes, and innate helper 2. Their transcription fac-
erated in the thymus (tTreg) and also are called “natural Tregs.” tors are retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor-α (RORα)
Foxp3+ Tregs also can be generated in the periphery from naïve and GATA3, and they have key roles in anthelminthic responses
CD4 T cells and are termed “peripheral Tregs” (pTreg) or and allergic lung inflammation.
induced Tregs. A subset of pTregs is present in colonic mucosa Group 3 ILCs include ILC3 and lymphoid tissue inducer
in humans and mice and express the transcription factor RORγt, (LTi) cells. Some cells of this group express the NK cell-activat-
typical of Th17 cells.125Interestingly, the Foxp3+ RORγt+ Treg ing receptor NKp46, which depends on the transcription factor
cells are induced in suckling mice by the microbiota, which is RORγt, and lack the cytotoxic effectors perforin and granzyme.
taken up via goblet-associated passages.58 Foxp3− T regulatory 1 Group 3 ILCs express IL-22 but not IFN-γ or TNF. A subset of
cells (Tr1) also are present in gut mucosa in fairly high abundance ILC3 express MHC class II and serve to regulate adaptive CD4+
and selectively produce high amounts of IL-10. Foxp3+ Tregs T cell responses to microbiota antigens.137 The contribution of
produce TGF-β only or TGF-β plus IL-10 as their inhibitory ILCs to mucosal homeostasis and intestinal inflammation is a
effector cytokines. subject of intensive research.
Certain microbiota or their products can induce the differ-
ent types of Tregs in mice. For example, the polysaccharide A
component of B. fragilis selectively induces Foxp3+ IL-10+ CD4
Dendritic Cells
T cells.126,127 An assortment of microbiota Clostridia have been DCs play a central role in tolerance and immunity in the intes-
shown to induce Foxp3+ Tregs in mouse colonic mucosa,128 and tinal mucosa. DCs continuously migrate within lymphoid tissues
this effect is at least partially due to the production of short-chain and present self-antigens, likely from dying apoptotic cells to
fatty acids (SCFA; acetate, propionate, butyrate) that these organ- maintain self-tolerance, as well as non-self-antigens.138 In the LP
isms produce during fermentation. SCFA have genome-encoded of the mouse distal small intestine, DCs express the chemokine
receptors on innate and adaptive immune cells in mice, which receptor CX3CR1 and form transepithelial dendrites that allow
tend to dampen immune responses.129 Humans have the same direct sampling of luminal antigen.139 IECs expressing CCL25
SCFA receptors and presumably have similar Treg responses to (the ligand for CCR9 and CCR10) may attract DCs to the small
CHAPTER 2 Mucosal Immunology and Inflammation 21
intestinal mucosa, whereas CCL28 (the ligand for CCR3 and The second contribution to the inflammation anergy char-
CCR10) attracts DCs to colonic mucosa.140-142 acteristic of intestinal macrophages is dysregulated NF-κB sig- 2
DCs process internalized antigens more slowly than macro- naling. LP stromal cell factors, particularly TGF-β, potently
phages,80,143 possibly contributing to local tolerance.81,144 Tol- downregulate monocyte TRIF, MyD88, and TRAF6 proteins,
erance induction by DCs is associated with (1) their degree of leading to the inability of monocytes newly recruited into the
maturation at the time of antigen presentation to T cells (imma- lamina propria to phosphorylate NF-κB p65. Intestinal macro-
ture DCs activate Tregs), (2) downregulation of co-stimulatory phages also express increased levels of mRNA for suppressor of
molecules CD80 and CD86, (3) production of the suppressive cytokine signaling (SOCS1), which promotes the degradation
cytokines IL-10, TGF-β, and IFN-α, and (4) interaction with of MAL (MyD88 adaptor-like protein), and increased levels of
the co-stimulatory molecule CD200.145,146 Murine CD103+ DCs sterile Armadillo motif-containing protein (SARM), which inhib-
are able to perform all stages of antigen processing, including its TRIF signaling. MyD88 is a critical element in the NF-κB
uptake, transportation, and presentation of bacterial antigens.147 activation pathway for all TLRs, except TLR3, and TRIF medi-
In the mouse LP, CD103+ DCs share the burden of immuno- ates TLR3-induced RANTES and IFN-γ production, as well
surveillance with CX3CR1+ macrophages, and impaired function as TLR4-mediated MyD88-independent signaling. In addition,
of these subpopulations may contribute to the development of intestinal macrophages are unable to activate NF-κB through
IBD.148 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways involving
phosphorylated(p) p38, p-ERK, or p-JNK, pathways dependent
on TRAF6. These dysregulations lead to the marked inability
Macrophages of intestinal macrophages to activate NF-κB and thus release of
Lamina propria macrophages are part of the innate immune sys- NF-κB pathway-dependent pro-inflammatory cytokines.
tem that orchestrates initial responses to microorganisms and The third mechanistic component of inflammation anergy is
their products. Among all body tissues, macrophages are most active TGF-β signaling. Intestinal macrophage TGF-β RI and
numerous in the gastrointestinal mucosa, residing in high num- RII are activated by local stromal TGF-β to induce the Smad
bers in the LP. In this critical location, macrophages (1) protect signal cascade. Smad4, a key component of the cascade, associates
against pathogens and noxious substances that breach the epi- with the phosphorylated heterodimeric Smad2/3 complex and
thelium, (2) contribute to tolerance to commensal bacteria and then translocates into the nucleus, initiating gene transcription
food antigens, and (3) maintain tissue homeostasis by scavenging for IκBα, which sequesters NF-κB in the cytoplasm. In contrast
apoptotic and dead cells. Intestinal macrophages mediate these to blood monocytes, intestinal macrophages do not express the
innate functions through powerful phagocytic and bactericidal pathway inhibitor Smad7, causing constitutive expression of IκBα
capabilities. and blockade of NF-κB signal transduction, thereby inhibiting
Innate cell responses to microbes are initiated within minutes NF-κB-mediated responses.
and are directed toward PAMPs, the conserved carbohydrate, Together, these overlapping mechanisms, induced mainly by
lipid, and nucleic acid molecules present on microbes. Macro- stromal TGF-β, cause profound inflammation anergy in human
phages recognize PAMPs through predetermined repertoires of resident intestinal macrophages. Recent studies also indicate that
pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that include the prototypic stimulus-exposed intestinal macrophages do not polarize into
germline-encoded transmembrane TLRs and cytosolic sensors, classical and alternatively activated (M1, M2) macrophages char-
including nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)- acteristic of mouse tissue macrophages. In the setting of infec-
like receptors. The predetermined nature of PRRs facilitates tion or a disrupted epithelium, immunostimulatory microbes and
rapid innate responses to microbial antigens but limits the diver- microbial products that breach the epithelium are rapidly phago-
sity of ligands to which macrophages can respond. cytosed by intestinal macrophages that provide potent, but non-
After infancy, intestinal macrophages are derived from and inflammatory, host defense. Similarly, intestinal macrophages
replenished by circulating pro-inflammatory monocytes, which clear apoptotic cells and debris in a non-inflammatory manner.
recruit to the LP. In the gut LP, however, macrophages display a Thus intestinal macrophages play a fundamental role in promot-
unique innate receptor phenotype with very limited pro-inflamma- ing the absence, or near absence, of inflammation that character-
tory capabilities, termed inflammation anergy, despite the presence izes healthy human intestinal mucosa.
of potent phagocytic and bacteriocidal activity. Three important
features contribute to the inflammation anergy. First, intestinal
macrophages in healthy mucosa do not express the receptors for
Oral Tolerance
LPS (CD14), IgA (CD89), IgG (CD16, 32, and 64), CR3 (CD11b/ One of the manifestations of the highly regulated mucosal immune
CD18), CR4 (CD11c/CD18), growth factor receptors for IL-2 system is oral tolerance.149,150 Oral tolerance is the antigen-specific
(CD25) and IL-3 (CD123), the integrin leukocyte function-associ- non-response to antigens administrated orally.150This also occurs
ated antigen-1 (LFA-1) (CD11a), and TREM-1. Intestinal macro- at other mucosal surfaces, where it is termed mucosal tolerance.
phages also express very low levels of chemokine receptors CCR5 The immune system regulates the response to the vast array of
and CXCR4, the co-receptors for R5 and X4 HIV-1. The mecha- antigens introduced via the oral route, specifically antigens that
nism by which the expression of these receptors is suppressed is not avoid complete digestion. Notably, up to 2% of dietary proteins
known, but since monocytes, the source of intestinal macrophages, enter the draining enteric vasculature fully intact. Non-response
express the receptors, local factors likely contribute to this unique to these antigens is achieved by oral tolerance. The intestinal
phenotype, possibly through the induction of epigenetic regula- mucosal immune system’s ability to discriminate between harm-
tion, as newly recruited monocytes take up residence in the lam- ful and harmless, or even beneficial, antigens and to generate
ina propria. Still, intestinal macrophages express some receptors a differential immune response toward each type of antigen is
involved in the recognition of, and interaction with, potentially present in humans and investigated extensively in animal mod-
harmful microbes, notably TLR1 and TLR3–9, as well as TGF-β els.95,151,152 Disruption of oral tolerance/mucosal tolerance, may
RI and RII, which mediate recruitment and active Smad signal- result in food allergies, celiac disease, and IBDs and has been
ing. The unique receptor phenotype of intestinal macrophages implicated in systemic immune-mediated diseases.
has profound functional implications. For example, the absence of An important difference between oral tolerance to food anti-
CD14 is consistent with the inability of intestinal macrophages to gens and mucosal tolerance to the microbiota is that the former
recognize LPS, a feature well suited to macrophages residing in attenuates intestinal and systemic immune responses, whereas
a microenvironment potentially rich in immunostimulatory LPS. the latter attenuates only mucosal immune responses.150 Factors
22 PART I Biology of the Gastrointestinal Tract
affecting the induction of oral tolerance include the host’s age, LP of patients with IBD, the number of such cells is significantly
genetic factors, nature of the antigen, and the tolerogen’s form reduced, supporting a role for these epithelial-induced T regula-
and dose. Part of the explanation for oral tolerance relates to tory cells in the control of intestinal inflammation.175
digestion itself, where large macromolecules are degraded so that Lastly, oral tolerance may also be influenced by the cell serv-
potentially immunogenic substances are rendered non-immuno- ing as the antigen-presenting cell, as well as by the site of antigen
genic or tolerogenic. uptake. In mice, orally administered reovirus type III is taken up
Oral tolerance is difficult to achieve in the neonate, likely by M cells expressing reovirus type III–specific receptors (see Fig.
related to the relatively permeable intestinal barrier in the new- 2.2).11 This induces an active IgA response. In contrast, reovirus I
born, as well as the immaturity of the mucosal immune system. infects IECs and induces tolerance. Thus whether a specific anti-
Within 3 months of age, oral tolerance can be induced, and gen enters the mucosa through M cells or IECs may dictate the
many previous antibody responses to food antigens are sup- type of immune response generated (IgA vs. tolerance). Interest-
pressed. The limited diet in the newborn may further serve to ingly, poliovirus, one of the few oral vaccines effective in man,
protect the infant from generating a vigorous response to food binds to M cells, which may account for its ability to stimulate
antigens. Interestingly, the intestinal microbiota has been shown active immunity in the gut.176
to affect the development of oral tolerance. Continuous expo-
sure to microbial molecules such as LPS during pregnancy and
early infancy was associated with a lower prevalence of atopy and
Chemokine Role in Homeostasis and Inflammation
asthma in children.153,154 The effects of the microbiota on oral Many of the chemokines secreted in the GALT are produced
tolerance are probably mediated through modulation of cytokine by IECs, evidence for epithelial cell participation in regulating
responses,155 the positive effect on intestinal barrier function and intestinal immune responses. Of the chemokines secreted, those
restitution of tight junctions,156 suppression of intestinal inflam- produced by IECs have the capacity to attract inflammatory cells
mation via downregulation of TLR expression, and secretion of such as lymphocytes, macrophages, and DCs, thus contribut-
metabolites that may inhibit inflammatory cytokine production ing to normal mucosal homeostasis (Table 2.1). The production
by mononuclear cells. of most of these chemokines is increased during infection and
The nature and form of the antigen also impact the induction inflammation.
of tolerance. Protein antigens are the most tolerogenic compared The chemokine CCL5 (regulated on activation, normal T cell
with carbohydrates and lipids.156 Regarding the form of the anti- expressed and secreted [RANTES]) is secreted predominantly
gen, ovalbumin (OVA) given in soluble form is quite tolerogenic, by macrophages but can also be produced by human IECs.177
whereas aggregated OVA has reduced capacity to induce toler- RANTES may have a role in innate as well as adaptive muco-
ance. The site of antigen sampling also may affect tolerance, since sal immunity,178 and increased RANTES expression has been
exposure (prior sensitization) to an antigen through an extraintes- demonstrated in the mucosa of patients with ulcerative coli-
tinal route reduces the development of mucosal tolerance. tis.179-182 The CXC chemokines, including monokine induced by
The dose of antigen administered is also considered critical interferon-γ (MIG, CXCL9), IFN-γ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10,
to the form of oral tolerance generated. In mouse models, high CXCL10), a chemokine that appears to promote Th1 responses,
doses of antigen are associated with clonal deletion or anergy and IFN-γ-inducible T cell α-chemoattractant (ITAC, CXCL11)
of T cells. In this setting, transfer of T cells from tolerized to are constitutively expressed by lymphocytes, endothelial cells,
non-tolerized animals does not lead to transfer of tolerance. Low and human colonic IECs.183,184 Their expression and polarized
doses of antigen, on the other hand, have been found to acti- basolateral secretion increase after IFN-γ stimulation. CXC che-
vate regulatory/suppressor T cells,157-159 but the effect of anti- mokines attract Th1 cells expressing high levels of CXCR3,185
gen dose on oral tolerance remains to be defined. Treg cells of contribute to NK T cell chemotaxis and increased cytolytic
both CD4 and CD8 lineages have a role in oral tolerance. CD4+ responses,186 and activate subsets of DCs.187
Treg cells appear to be activated in the Peyer patch and secrete In contrast to the inflammation-related CXCR3 receptor,
TGF-β, which is a potent suppressor of T and B cell responses, a tissue-specific chemokine receptor, CCR9, is constitutively
while promoting the production of IgA by inducing a genetic expressed on small intestinal IELs and LPLs.188-190 Its ligand,
switch from IgM to IgA in B cells.160,161 Production of TGF-β the chemokine thymus-expressed chemokine (TECK, CCL25) is
and IL-10 by Treg cells elicited by low-dose antigen administra- differentially expressed in the jejunal and ileal epithelium, where
tion helps explain an associated phenomenon of oral tolerance decreasing levels of expression from the crypt up to the villous
termed bystander suppression. Oral tolerance is antigen-specific, have been reported.191 CCL25 expression by IECs has been
but the effector arm is antigen non-specific. When an irrelevant shown to be increased in the inflamed small intestine of patients
(bystander) antigen is co-administered systemically with the with Crohn disease, with increased CCR9 expression by periph-
tolerogen, suppression of T and B cell responses to the irrelevant eral blood lymphocytes and decreased expression by LPLs.189
antigen also will occur (hence bystander suppression), because Fractalkine (CX3CL1) is a unique chemokine expressed by
secreted TGF-β and IL-10 can suppress the response to the co- IECs that combines the properties of chemokines and adhe-
administered antigen. T regulatory 1 cells, which produce only sion molecules. CX3CL1 attracts NK cells, monocytes, CD8+
IL-10, a potent immunosuppressive cytokine, may also partici- T lymphocytes, and to a lesser extent CD4+ T lymphocytes,
pate in bystander suppression and oral tolerance.162-164 In mice, which express the specific receptor CX3CR1.192 Its expression is
the deletion of CD4+ Treg cell activity results in IBD, whereas increased in Crohn disease, specifically in the basolateral aspect
its expansion ameliorates murine colitis.165-167 In IBD patients, of IECs.193,194
the number of Treg cells is generally greater than in controls, Macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC, CCL22) is constitu-
and a peripheral-to-intestinal shift has been suggested.168-170 tively expressed and secreted by colonic IECs and attracts CCR4+
Whether the failure of these cells to protect against IBD is due Th2 cytokine-producing lymphocytes. Polarized basolateral
to an intrinsic defect or microenvironmental effects is still being secretion of MDC/CCL22 from stimulated colonic IEC lines has
investigated.171 been reported.195 The specific recruitment of lymphocytes that
Antigen-specific CD8+ T cells may play a role in oral tol- preferentially secrete anti-inflammatory cytokines supports an
erance,172,173 as well as in the regulation of mucosal immune important role for the intestinal epithelium in orchestrating nor-
responses. Specifically, in vitro activation of human CD8+ periph- mal mucosal homeostasis, and adds to the accumulating evidence
eral blood T cells by normal IECs results in the expansion of that these cells possess the ability to regulate mucosal immune
CD8+CD28− T cells with regulatory activity.174 Moreover, in the responses.
CHAPTER 2 Mucosal Immunology and Inflammation 23
TABLE 2.1 Chemokines, Their Receptors, Cells That Produce Them, and Target Cell(s)
2
Chemokine Receptor Produced by Target Cell References
CCL5 (RANTES) IEC T cells 177
Mϕ Eosinophils
Leukocytes
CXCL9 (MIG) CXCR3 Colon IECs Th1 CXCR3+ 183,184
Endothelial cells NK
Lymphocytes DC
CXCL10 (IP10) CXCR3 Colon IECs Th1 CXCR3+ 183,184
Endothelial cells
Lymphocytes
CXCL11 (ITAC) CXCR3 Colon IECs Th1 XCXR3+ 183,184
Endothelial cells
Lymphocytes
CCL25 (TECK) CCR9 IEC CD8+ E7 188-191
CX3CL1 (Fractalkine) CX3CR1 IEC CD8>CD4 monocytes 192-194,200
NK cells
CCL28 (MEC) CCR3 Colon IEC CD4 Tm eosinophils 200
CCR10
CCL22 (MDC) CCR4 Colon IEC CD4 Th1 195
CCL20 (MIP3α) CCR6 IEC DCs 196-199
CD4 Tm
CXCL12 CXCR4 IEC CD4 Th1 CD45RO+ 201-205
CXCR7 Plasma cells
CXCL8 (IL-8) CXCR1>CXCR2 IEC Neutrophils 206
Mϕ
Neutrophils
DC, Dendritic cell; IEC, intestinal epithelial cell; Mϕ, macrophage; NK, natural killer.
The chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein-3α (MIP3, are pathogens because they have evolved mechanisms to breach
CCL20) is unique in its ability to specifically attract immature the mucosal barrier. In healthy mucosa, resident macrophages
DCs as well as memory CD4+ T lymphocytes.196-198 CCL20 potently phagocytose and kill such microbes in a non-inflam-
is also expressed and produced by human small intestinal ECs matory manner, but in disease conditions, the mechanism(s)
(mainly in the follicle-associated epithelium) and by colonic responsible for inflammation anergy are disrupted allowing the
IECs and may be the mediator of lymphocyte adhesion to the macrophages to retain the pro-inflammatory profile of their
α4β7 ligand MAdCAM-1.196 MIP3α expression and secretion is monocyte progenitors. However, once IECs are invaded, they
increased in colonic IECs derived from IBD patients.199 Muco- produce large amounts of chemokines such as IL-8, which attract
sal memory T cells, as well as IECs, express CCR6, the cognate neutrophils and monocytes from the blood into the gut at the
receptor for MIP3α. site of infection. Such phagocytes are inflammatory and produce
Mucosal defenses, including microbiota itself, provide protec- more chemokines, as well as other cytokines, rapidly acquiring a
tion from intestinal pathogens. The microbiota competes with, critical mass and killing the invading bacteria, thus resolving the
and provides resistance to, colonization by transient bacteria and infection.
pathogens in food and water. Some enteric pathogens induce
host inflammation that in turn kills anaerobes in the gut, thus Full references for this chapter can be found on www.expertconsult.com.
F OR some time Lady Jane sat in the doorway, not knowing just
what to do. She was very tired, and at first she was inclined to
rest, thinking that Tiburce would come back and find her there; then
when no one noticed her, and it seemed very long that she had
waited, she felt inclined to cry; but she was a sensible, courageous
little soul, and knew that tears would do no good; besides it was very
uncomfortable, crying behind a mask. Her eyes burned, and her
head ached, and she was hungry and thirsty, and yet Tiburce didn’t
come; perhaps they had forgotten her altogether, and had got into
the milk-cart, and gone home.
This thought was too much to bear calmly, so she started to her
feet, determined to try to find them if they were not coming to search
for her.
She did not know which way to turn, for the crowd confused her
terribly. Sometimes a rude imp in a domino would push her, or twitch
her sleeve, and then, as frightened as a hunted hare, she would dart
into the first doorway, and wait until her tormentor had passed. She
was such a delicate little creature to be buffeted by a turbulent
crowd, and had it not been for the disguise of the domino she would
soon have found a protector amongst those she fled from.
After wandering around for some time, she found herself very near
the spot she started from; and, thankful for the friendly shelter of the
doorway, she slipped into it and sat down to think and rest. She
wanted to take off her mask and cool her hot face, but she did not
dare to; for some reason she felt that her disguise was a protection;
but how could any one find her when there were dozens of little
figures flitting about in pink dominos?
While she sat there thinking and wondering what she should do,
she noticed a carriage drive up to the next door, and two gentlemen
got out, followed by a young man. When the youth turned his face
toward her, she started up excitedly, and holding out her hands she
cried out pitifully, “It’s me; it’s Lady Jane.”
The young fellow glanced around him with a startled look; he
heard the little cry, but did not catch the words, and it moved him
strangely; he thought it sounded like some small creature in pain, but
he only saw a little figure in a soiled pink domino standing in the next
doorway, some little street gamin, he supposed, and without further
notice he passed her and followed his companions up the steps.
It was the boy who gave Lady Jane the blue heron, and he had
passed her without seeing her; she had called to him, and he had
not heard her. This was too much, she could not bear it, and
withdrawing again into her retreat she sat down and burst into a
passion of tears.
For a long while she cried silently, then she fell asleep and forgot
for a time all her troubles. When she woke a rude man was pulling
her to her feet, and telling her to wake up and go home; he had a
stick and bright buttons on his coat. “A young one tired out and gone
to sleep,” he muttered, as he went on his way.
SHE CRIED OUT PITIFULLY, “IT’S LADY JANE”
Then Lady Jane began to think that that place was no longer a
safe refuge; the man with the stick might come back and beat her if
she remained there, so she started out and crept along close to the
high buildings. She wondered if it was near night, and what she
should do when it got dark. Oh, if Tante Modeste, Tiburce, or
Madelon would only come for her, or Tante Pauline,—even she
would be a welcome sight, and she would not run away from Raste,
although she detested him; he pulled her hair and teased her, and
called her “My Lady,” but still if he should come just then she would
not run away from him, she would ask him to take her home.
At that moment some one behind her gave her domino a violent
pull, and she looked around wildly; an imp in yellow and black was
following her. A strand of her bright hair had escaped from her hood
and fallen over her back; he had it in his hand, and was using it as a
rein. “Get up, my little nag,” he was saying, in a rude, impertinent
voice; “come, trot, trot.” At first she tried to jerk her hair away; she
was so tired and frightened that she could scarcely stand, but she
turned on her tormentor and bade him leave her alone.
“I’m going to pull off your mask,” he said, “and see if you ain’t Mary
O’Brien.” He made a clutch at her, but Lady Jane evaded it; all the
spirit in her was aroused by this assault, and the usually gentle child
was transformed into a little fury. “Don’t touch me,” she cried; “don’t
touch me,”—and she struck the yellow and black imp full in the face
with all her strength.
Now this blow was the signal for a battle, in which Lady Jane was
sadly worsted, for in a few moments the boy, who was older and of
course stronger, had torn her domino from her in ribbons, had
snatched off her mask, and pulled the hood from her head, which
unloosened all her beautiful hair, allowing it to fall in a golden shower
far below her waist, and there she stood with flashing eyes and
burning cheeks, quivering and panting in the midst of a strange, rude
crowd, like a little wild hunted animal suddenly brought to bay.
At that moment she saw some one leap on to the banquette, and
with one well-aimed and dexterous kick send her enemy sprawling
into the gutter, while all the bystanders shouted with laughter.
It was Gex, little Gex, who had come to her rescue, and never did
fair lady cling with greater joy and gratitude to the knight who had
delivered her from the claws of a dragon, than did Lady Jane to the
little horny hand of the ancient professeur of the dance.
For a moment she could not speak; she was so exhausted with
her battle and so overcome with delight that she had no voice to
express her feelings.
Gex understood the situation, and with great politeness and
delicacy led her into a pharmacy near, smoothed her disordered
dress and hair, and gave her a glass of soda.
This so revived the little lady that she found voice to say: “Oh, Mr.
Gex, how did you know where I was?”
“I didn’t, I didn’t,” replied Gex tremulously. “It vas vhat you call one
accident. I vas just going down the Rue Royale, vas just turning the
corner, I vas on my vay home. I’d finished my Mardi-gras, all I vant of
the noise and foolishness, and I vas going back to Rue des Bons
Enfants, vhen I hears one leetle girl cry out, and I look and saw the
yellow devil pull down my leetle lady’s hair. Oh, bon, bon, didn’t I
give him one blow!—didn’t I send him in the gutter flying!”—and Gex
rubbed his hands and chuckled with delight. “And how lucky vas I to
have one accident to find my leetle lady, vhen she vas in trouble!”
Then Lady Jane and Mr. Gex turned down Rue Royale, and while
she skipped along holding his hand, her troubles all forgotten, she
told him how it happened that she had been separated from Tiburce,
and of all her subsequent misadventures.
Presently, Gex stopped before a neat little restaurant, whose
window presented a very tempting appearance, and, looking at Lady
Jane with a broad, inviting smile, said, “I should like to know if my
leetle lady vas hungry. It is past four of the clock, and I should like to
give my leetle lady von Mardi-gras dinner.”
“Oh, thank you, Mr. Gex,” cried Lady Jane, delightedly, for the
smell of the savory food appealed to her empty stomach. “I’m so
hungry that I can’t wait until I get home.”
“Vell, you sha’n’t; this is one nice place, vairy chic and fashionable,
fit for one leetle lady, and you shall see that Gex can order one fine
dinner, as vell as teach the dance.”
When the quaint little old man, in his antiquated black suit, a relic
of other and better days, entered the room, with the beautiful child,
rosy and bareheaded, her yellow hair flying out like spun silk, and
her dainty though disordered dress plainly showing her superior
position, every eye was turned upon him, and Gex felt the stirrings of
old pride and ambition, as he placed a chair with great ceremony,
and lifted Lady Jane into it. Then he drew out his spectacles with
much dignity, and, taking the card the waiter handed him, waited,
pencil poised, for the orders of the young lady.
“If you please,” he said, with a formal bow, and an inviting smile,
“to tell me vhat you prefair.”
Lady Jane frowned and bit her lips at the responsibility of deciding
so important a matter; at length she said, with sparkling eyes and a
charming smile:
“If you please, Mr. Gex, I’ll take some—some ice cream.”
“But first, my leetle lady,—but first, one leetle plat of soup, and the
fish with sauce verte, and one leetle bird,—just one leetle bird vith
the petit pois—and one fine, good, leetle salad. How vould that suit
my leetle lady?”
“And ice cream?” questioned Lady Jane, leaning forward with her
little hands clasped primly in her lap.
“And after, yes, one crême à la glace, one cake, and one leetle
bunch of raisin, grape you say,” repeated Gex, as he wrote
laboriously with his old, stiff fingers. “Now ve vill have one fine leetle
dinner, my leetle lady,” he said, with a beaming smile, when he had
completed the order.
Lady Jane nodded an affirmative, and while they waited for their
dinner her bright eyes traveled over everything; at length they rested
on Mr. Gex with unbounded admiration, and she could not refrain
from leaning forward and whispering:
“Oh, Mr. Gex, how nice, how lovely you look! Please, Mr. Gex,
please don’t wear an apron any more.”
“Vell, if my leetle lady don’t vant me to, vell, I von’t,” replied Gex,
beaming with sudden ambition and pride, “and, perhaps, I vill try to
be one fine leetle gentleman again, like vhen I vas professeur of the
dance.”
CHAPTER XXI
AFTER THE CARNIVAL
I T was nearly dark, and the day had been very long to Pepsie,
sitting alone at her window, for Madelon must remain all day and
until late at night on the Rue Bourbon. A holiday, and especially
Mardi-gras, was a day of harvest for her, and she never neglected a
chance to reap nickels and dimes; therefore Pepsie began to look
anxiously for the return of the merry party in the milk-cart. She knew
they were not to remain to see the night procession; at least, that
had not been the intention of Tante Modeste when she left, and she
could not imagine what had detained them. And Tite Souris,—
ungrateful creature! had been told to return as soon as the
procession was over, in order to get Pepsie’s dinner. Owing to the
excitement of the morning, Pepsie had eaten nothing, and now she
was very hungry, as well as lonesome; and even Tony, tired of
waiting, was hopping about restlessly, straining at his cord, and
pecking the floor viciously.
Madame Jozain had returned some time before, and was even
then eating her dinner comfortably, Pepsie had called across to know
if she had seen anything of the Paichoux and Lady Jane; but
madame had answered stiffly that she had been in her friend’s
gallery all the time, which was an intimation that she had been in no
position to notice a milk-cart, or its occupants. Then she observed
indifferently that Madame Paichoux had probably decided to remain
on Canal Street in order to get good positions for the night
procession.
Pepsie comforted herself somewhat with this view of the case, and
then began to worry about the child’s fast. She was sure Tante
Modeste had nothing in the cart for the children to eat, and on Mardi-
gras there was such a rush that one could hardly get into a
restaurant, and she doubted whether Tante Modeste would try with
such a crowd of young ones to feed. At length when she had thought
of every possible reason for their remaining so late, and every
possible plan by which they could be fed, she began to think of her
own hunger, and of Tite Souris’s neglect, and had worked herself up
to a very unenviable state of mind, when she saw her ungrateful
handmaid plunging across the street, looking like a much-abused
scarecrow, the remnants of her tatters flying in the wind, and her
long black legs, owing to the unexpected abbreviation of her skirts,
longer and thinner than ever, while her comical black face wore an
expression impossible to describe.
“Oh, Miss Peps’,” she gasped, bursting into Pepsie’s presence like
a whirlwind, “Ma’m Paichoux done sont me on ahead ter tell yer how
Miss Lady’s done got lost.”
“Lost, lost?” cried Pepsie, clasping her hands wildly and bursting
into tears. “How, where?”
“Up yon’er, on Cunnul Street. We’s can’t find ’er nowhar.”
“Then you must have let go of her,” cried Pepsie, while her eyes
flashed fire. “I told you not to let go of her.”
“Oh laws, Miss Peps’, we’s couldn’t holp it in dat dar scrimmage;
peoples done bus’ us right apart, an’ Miss Lady’s so littl’ her han’ jes
slip outen mine. I’se tried ter hole on, but’t ain’t no use.”
“And where was Tiburce? Did he let go of her too?”
“He war dar, but Lor! he couldn’t holp it, Mars’ Tiburce couldn’t, no
more en me.”
“You’ve broken my heart, Tite, and if you don’t go and find her I’ll
hate you always. Mind what I say, I’ll hate you forever,” and Pepsie
thrust out her long head and set her teeth in a cruel way.
“Oh laws, honey! Oh laws, Miss Peps’, dey’s all a-lookin’, dey’s
gwine bring ’er back soon; doan’t git scart, dat chile’s all right.”
“Go and look for her; go and find her! Mind what I tell you; bring
her back safe or—” Here Pepsie threw herself back in her chair and
fairly writhed. “Oh, oh! and I must stay here and not do anything, and
that darling is lost, lost!—out in the streets alone, and nearly dark.
Go, go and look for her; don’t stand there glaring at me. Go, I say,”
and Pepsie raised her nutcracker threateningly.
“Yes, Miss Peps’, yes, I’ll bring ’er back shore,” cried Tite, dodging
an imaginary blow, as she darted out, her rags and tatters flying after
her.
When she had gone Pepsie could do nothing but strain her eyes in
the gathering darkness, and wring her hands and weep. She saw the
light and the fire in Madame Jozain’s room, but the door was closed
because the evening was chilly, and the street seemed deserted.
There was no one to speak to; she was alone in the dark little room
with only Tony, who rustled his feathers in a ghostly sort of way, and
toned dismally.
Presently, she heard the sound of wheels, and peering out saw
Tante Modeste’s milk-cart; her heart gave a great bound. How foolish
she was to take on in such a wild way; they had found her, she was
there in the cart, safe and sound; but instead of Lady Jane’s blithe
little voice she heard her Uncle Paichoux, and in an instant Tante
Modeste entered with a very anxious face.
“She hasn’t come home, has she?” were Tante Modeste’s first
words.
“Oh, oh!” sobbed Pepsie, “then you haven’t brought her?”
“Don’t cry, child, don’t cry, we’ll find her now. When I saw I couldn’t
do anything, I took the young ones home, and got your uncle. I said,
‘If I have Paichoux, I’ll be able to find her.’ We’re going right to the
police. I dare say they’ve found her, or know where she is.”
“You know I told you—” moaned Pepsie, “you know I was afraid
she’d get lost.”
“Yes, yes; but I thought I could trust Tiburce. The boy will never get
over it; he told me the truth, thank Heaven; he said he just let go her
hand for one moment, and there was such a crowd. If that fly-away
of a Tite had kept on the other side it wouldn’t have happened, but
she ran off as soon as they got on the street.”
“I thought so. I’ll pay her off,” said Pepsie vindictively.
“Come, come, Modeste,” called Paichoux from the door, “let’s be
starting.”
“Oh, uncle!” cried Pepsie, imploringly, “do find Lady Jane.”
“Certainly, child, certainly, I’ll find her. I’ll have her back here in an
hour or so. Don’t cry. It’s nothing for a young one to get lost Mardi-
gras; I dare say there are a dozen at the police stations now, waiting
for their people to come and get them.”
Just at that moment there was a sound of voices without, and
Pepsie exclaimed: “That’s Lady Jane. I heard her speak.” Sure
enough, the sweet, high-pitched little voice chattering merrily could
be distinctly heard; and at the same instant Tite Souris burst into the
room, exclaiming:
“Her’s here, Miss Peps’, bress der Lor’! I’s done found her”; and
following close was Lady Jane, still holding fast to little Gex.
“Oh, Pepsie! Oh, I was lost!” she cried, springing into her friend’s
arms. “I was lost, and Mr. Gex found me; and I struck a boy in the
face, and he tore off my domino and mask, and I didn’t know what to
do, when Mr. Gex came and kicked him into the gutter. Didn’t you,
Mr. Gex?”
“Just to think of it!” cried Tante Modeste, embracing her, and
almost crying over her, while Paichoux was listening to the modest
account of the rescue, from the ancient dancing-master.
“And I had dinner with Mr. Gex,” cried Lady Jane joyfully; “such a
lovely dinner—ice cream, and grapes—and cake!”
“And one leetle bird, vith a vairy fine salad, my leetle lady,—vasn’t
it—one vairy nice leetle bird?” interrupted Gex, who was unwilling to
have his fine dinner belittled.
“Oh, yes; bird, and fish, and soup,” enumerated Lady Jane, “and
peas, Pepsie, little peas.”
“Oh, mon Dieu! oh, leetle lady!” cried Gex, holding up his hands in
horror, “you have it vairy wrong. It vas soup, and fish, and bird. M.
Paichoux, you see the leetle lady does not vell remember; and you
must not think I can’t order one vairy fine dinner.”
“I understand,” said Paichoux, laughing. “I’ve no doubt, Gex, but
what you could order a dinner fit for an alderman.”
“Thank you, thank you, vairy much,” returned Gex, as he bowed
himself out and went home to dream of his triumphs.
CHAPTER XXII
PAICHOUX MAKES A PURCHASE
One morning in August, about a year from the time that Madame
Jozain moved into Good Children Street, Tante Modeste was in her
dairy, deep in the mysteries of cream-cheese and butter, when
Paichoux entered, and laying a small parcel twisted up in a piece of
newspaper before her waited for her to open it.
“In a moment,” she said, smiling brightly; “let me fill these molds
first, then I’ll wash my hands, and I’m done for to-day.”
Paichoux made no reply, but walked about the dairy, peering into
the pans of rich milk, and whistling softly.
Suddenly, Tante Modeste uttered an exclamation of surprise. She
had opened the paper, and was holding up a beautiful watch by its
exquisitely wrought chain.
“Why, papa, where in the world did you get this?” she asked, as
she turned it over and over, and examined first one side and then the
other. “Blue enamel, a band of diamonds on the rim, a leaf in
diamonds on one side, a monogram on the other. What are the
letters?—the stones sparkle so, I can hardly make them out. J, yes,
it’s a J, and a C. Why, those are the very initials on that child’s
clothes! Paichoux, where did you get this watch, and whose is it?”
“Why, it’s mine,” replied Paichoux, with exasperating coolness. He
was standing before Tante Modeste, with his thumbs in his waistcoat
pockets, whistling in his easy way. “It’s mine, and I bought it.”
“Bought it! Where did you buy a watch like this, and wrapped up in
newspaper, too? Do tell me where you got it, Paichoux,” cried Tante
Modeste, very much puzzled, and very impatient.
“I bought it in the Recorder’s Court.”
“In the Recorder’s Court?” echoed Tante Modeste, more and more
puzzled. “From whom did you buy it?”
“From Raste Jozain.”
Tante Modeste looked at her husband with wide eyes and parted
lips, and said nothing for several seconds; then she exclaimed, “I
told you so!”
“Told me what?” asked Paichoux, with a provoking smile.
“Why, why, that all those things marked J. C. were stolen from that
child’s mother; and this watch is a part of the same property, and she
never was a Jozain—”
“Not so fast, Modeste; not so fast.”
“Then, what was Raste Jozain in the Recorder’s Court for?”
“He was arrested on suspicion, but they couldn’t prove anything.”
“For this?” asked Tante Modeste, looking at the watch.
“No, it was another charge, but his having such a valuable watch
went against him. It seems like a providence, my getting it. I just
happened to be passing the Recorder’s Court, and, glancing in, I
saw that precious rascal in the dock. I knew him, but he didn’t know
me. So I stepped in to see what the scrape was. It seems that he
was arrested on the suspicion of being one of a gang who have
robbed a number of jewelry stores. They couldn’t prove anything
against him on that charge; but the watch and chain puzzled the
Recorder like the mischief. He asked Raste where he got it, and he
was ready with his answer, ‘It belonged to my cousin who died some
time ago; she left it to my mother, and my mother gave it to me.’”
“‘What was her name?’ asked the Recorder.
“‘Claire Jozain,’ the scamp answered promptly.
“‘But this is J. C.,’ said the Recorder, examining the letters closely.
‘I should certainly say that the J. came first. What do you think,
gentlemen?’ and he handed the watch to his clerk and some others;
and they all thought from the arrangement of the letters that it was J.
C., and while this discussion was going on, the fellow stood there
smiling as impudent and cool as if he was the first gentleman in the
city. He’s a handsome fellow, and well dressed, and the image of his
father. Any one who had ever seen André Jozain would know that
Raste was his son, and he’s in a fair way to end his days in Andre’s
company.”
“And they couldn’t find out where he got the watch?” interrupted
Tante Modeste impatiently.
“No, they couldn’t prove that it was stolen. However, the Recorder
gave him thirty days in the parish prison as a suspicious character.”
“They ought not to have let him off so easily,” said Tante Modeste
decidedly.
“But you know they couldn’t prove anything,” continued Paichoux,
“and the fellow looked blue at the prospect of thirty days. I guess he
felt that he was getting it pretty heavy. However, he put on lots of
brass and began talking and laughing with some flashy-looking
fellows who gathered around him. They saw the watch was valuable,
and that there was a chance for a bargain, and one of them made
him an offer of fifty dollars for it. ‘Do you think I’m from the West?’ he
asked, with a grin, and shoved it back into his pocket! ‘I’m pretty hard
up, I need the cash badly; but I can’t give you this ticker, as much as
I love you.’ Then another fellow offered him sixty, and he shook his
head. ‘No, no, that’s nowhere near the figure.’
“‘Let me look at the watch,’ I said, sauntering up. ‘If it’s a good
watch I’ll make you an offer.’ I spoke as indifferently as possible,
because I didn’t want him to think I was anxious, and I wasn’t quite
sure whether he knew me or not. As he handed me the watch he
eyed me impudently, but I saw that he was nervous and shaky. ‘It’s a
good watch,’ I said after I examined it closely; ‘a very good watch,
and I’ll give you seventy-five.’