Reduced immunostaining for c‐kit receptors in mucosal mast cells in inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

These data support our previous report that the size of the mucosal MC population in patients with inactive IBD is not altered by disease or by stress, yet MC in IBD are different (fewer c-kit receptors) and respond differently (greater activation) than MC in control subjects. It remains to be seen whether this abnormality is an inherited or acquired one and to identify its role and mechanism in tissue injury in the pathogenesis of IBD.