Figure 2.

 (A) Osteopontin (OPN) expression in intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEC). OPN mRNA transcripts were determined in isolated IEC from normal controls (NL) and from patients with ulcerative colitis (UCa active inflammation; UCi inactive inflammation) and Crohn’s disease (CDa active inflammation; CDi inactive inflammation) by real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. There were no differences of OPN mRNA transcripts in IEC with or without inflammation. (B) OPN expression in lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMC). OPN mRNA transcripts were also determined in isolated LPMC from NL, UC, and CD. LPMC from UCa and CDa expressed higher levels of OPN mRNA. Values were normalised to the housekeeping gene β-actin. (C) OPN protein expression was determined by western blot analysis. LPMC from UCa and CDa expressed higher levels of OPN protein. Equal loading was confirmed by equal β-actin levels.