Survivin is a member of the inhibitors of apoptosis family.  It helps regulate cell division and prevents cell death.  (Gastroenterology 2012; 143: 1017-26).  While survivin has been shown to be important in cancer, it appears to be important in inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.

In the referenced study, lamina propria T cells (LPT) were isolated from mucosal samples of patients with Crohn’s disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), and controls.  Expression of survivin was assessed by immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, and immunoblotting.

LPTs from patients with Crohn’s disease had increased survivin levels; this was not seen in control patients or UC patients.  Furthermore, the investigators showed that the survivin (bound to heat shock protein) was resistant to proteasome degradation.

Implications of this study: 

Survivin may have crucial consequences for CD and other inflammatory/autoimmune diseases; cell proliferation and apoptosis alteration may be important in the pathogenesis of  in these disorders.