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This research aims to determine the expression levels of fibroblast activation protein (FAP) in intestinal tissues affected by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

January 23, 2026

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P0117Fibroblast activation protein is selectively expressed by CD90+ fibroblasts in inflammatory bowel disease-associated intestinal fibrosis

Key Points

This research aims to determine the expression levels of fibroblast activation protein (FAP) in intestinal tissues affected by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Examined FAP mRNA and protein levels in tissue samples from IBD and non-IBD controls using qPCR and immunohistochemistry.
Performed histological scoring for inflammation and fibrosis by a blinded expert.
Utilized imaging mass cytometry to identify and characterize FAP-positive cells.
FAP mRNA increased 11.4-fold in fibrostenotic CD tissues and 5.9-fold in inflamed CD ileum compared to controls.
FAP protein expression was significantly elevated in fibrotic CD tissues, particularly in the subserosa.
In UC tissues, FAP protein showed a 3.7-fold increase in inflamed specimens compared to controls.

Abstract

Abstract Background Intestinal fibrosis is a common complication in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and diagnostic modalities to detect and determine the degree of fibrosis are limited. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is virtually absent in healthy tissues, but is increased in malignancies, and in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Here, we investigated the presence of FAP in fibrostenotic and inflamed resection specimens from Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and defined its cellular and spatial distribution. Methods FAP mRNA (not shown) and protein levels were determined in tissue samples from CD, UC and (non-IBD) controls using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Immunohistochemical stainings (H134. Conflict of interest: Ms. Lartey, Dalia: no COI Van Os, Bram: No conflict of interest Ke, Bo-Jun: No conflict of interest Van Wijnbergen, Kelly: No conflict of interest De Hertogh, Gert: Other: Fees to my institution KULeuven for my activities as central pathology reviewer for: Centocor and Eli Lilly Barnhoorn, Marieke: No conflicts of interest. Matteoli, Gianluca: Grant: We are recipient of the opnMe research grant from Boehringer Ingelheim. Buskens, Christianne J.: Grant: C. Buskens has received an unrestricted grant from Boehringer Ingelheim and Roche Personal Fees: C. Buskens has received consultancy fees and/or speaker’s honoraria from Tillotts, Takeda, MSD and Janssen jarmilla, van der bilt: No conflict of interest D’Haens, Geert: Grant: Pfizer, BMS, Johnson and Johnson, Abbvie, Alimentiv BV, Eli Lilly, Takeda, Prometheus Laboratories Personal Fees: Abbvie, Abivax, Agomab, Alimentiv, Anaptys Bio, AstraZeneca, Bristol Meiers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celltrion, Eli Lilly, Exeliom Biosciences, Galapagos, Glaxo Smith Kline, Dr Falk Pharma, Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, Merck, Mirador, Polpharma, Procise Diagnostics, Prometheus Biosciences, Sorriso Pharma, Spyre, Takeda, Ventyx Grootjans, Joep: No conflict of interest Wildenberg, Manon: Received research grant support from Hoffman-La Roche, Boehringer-Ingelheim Löwenberg, Mark: No relevant CoI to disclose

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P0117Fibroblast activation protein is selectively expressed by CD90+ fibroblasts in inflammatory bowel disease-associated intestinal fibrosis

Key Points

Abstract

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