Ulcerative Colitis involves defects in epithelial barrier, immune response, leukocyte, and microflora of the colon.
The epithelial barrier has a defect in colonic mucin, and possibly tight junctions, leading to increased uptake of luminal antigens. The lamina propria of the mucosa also has an increased number of activated and mature dendritic cells which include a large number of toll-like receptors, specifically TLR2 and TLR4.
There also seems to be an atypical T-helper cell response in patients with ulcerative colitis, specifically Th2, which exerts a cytotoxic response against epithelial cells.
Other immune-related factors that play a role in the pathophysiology of ulcerative colitis include tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin 13, and natural killer T-cells. Levels of IgM, IgA, and IgG are elevated in inflammatory bowel disease; however, a disproportionate increase in IgG1 antibodies is found in patients diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.
Levels of IgM, IgA, and IgG are elevated in inflammatory bowel disease