Background and aims-The Tage4 gene (tumour associated glycoprotein E4) is overexpressed in rat colon tumours and Min mouse intestinal adenomas. The rat Tage4 protein has approximately 40% identity with human CD155, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily coding for a transmembrane protein capable of serving as an entry receptor for poliovirus, porcine pseudorabies virus, and bovine herpesvirus 1. Analysis of the rat Tage4 gene has revealed structural and functional similarities with the human CD155 gene. We therefore investigated expression of the CD155 gene in human colorectal carcinomas. Methods-Overall CD155 expression was assessed by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemical analysis using tissue specimens from patients with colorectal adenomas and adenocarcinomas. We also used a qualitative RT-PCR assay to determine relative expression of diVerent splicing variants in each sample. Results-mRNA levels of CD155 were increased in six of six colorectal cancer tissues compared with the tumour free colon mucosa. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed an increased level of CD155 protein in 12 of 12 samples. The qualitative RT-PCR assay revealed that relative expression of the diVerent CD155 variant transcripts was similar in the diVerent normal and cancer samples tested, indicating that this overexpression is not associated with a particular mRNA variant generated by alternative splicing of the CD155 gene. Conclusion-We have shown for the first time that the CD155 gene is overexpressed in colorectal carcinoma and that this overexpression begins at an early stage in tumorigenesis and continues to late stages. (Gut 2001;49:236-240) Keywords: CD155; colorectal cancer; immunoglobulin superfamily; poliovirus receptor As our understanding of the biology of colorectal cancer progresses, new knowledge about tumorigenesis and tumour biology can be used to diagnose, treat, and prevent this type of cancer. In an initial study of an animal model for immunotherapy of colon tumours, monoclonal antibodies directed against rat colon carcinoma cells were raised.

Highlights d Reprogramming of patient somatic cells to induced hTSCs with OSKM d Conversion of naive and extended hPSCs to hTSCs d Comparison of models of the human trophoblast lineage d h(i/c)TSCs are akin to day 8 trophoblasts of the human embryo

IL-10 is an immunomodulatory cytokine that plays an obligate role in preventing spontaneous enterocolitis in mice. However, little is known about IL-10 function in the human intestinal mucosa. We showed here that IL-10 was constitutively expressed and secreted by the human normal colonic mucosa, including epithelial cells. Depletion of IL-10 in mucosal explants induced both downregulation of the IL-10-inducible, immunosuppressive gene BCL3 and upregulation of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-17. Interestingly, TGF-β blockade also strongly induced IFN-γ production. In addition, the high levels of IFN-γ produced upon IL-10 depletion were responsible for surface epithelium damage and crypt loss, mainly by apoptosis. Polymyxin B, used as a scavenger of endogenous LPS, abolished both IFN-γ production and epithelial barrier disruption. Finally, adding a commensal bacteria strain to mucosa explant cultures depleted of both IL-10 and LPS reproduced the ability of endogenous LPS to induce IFN-γ secretion. These findings demonstrate that IL-10 ablation leads to an endogenous IFN-γ-mediated inflammatory response via LPS from commensal bacteria in the human colonic mucosa. We also found that both IL-10 and TGF-β play crucial roles in maintaining human colonic mucosa homeostasis.