Background and Aim: The cellular configuration of the human colon suggests a predetermined organization that creates specific microenvironments. The role of pericryptal fibroblasts in this microenvironment has been the subject of considerable speculation. This study examined the expression of growth factors and their receptors by colonic crypt epithelium and pericryptal fibroblasts.

Methods and Results: Pericryptal fibroblast cells were isolated and cultured from decrypted human colonic mucosa. The pericryptal fibroblast cells expressed messenger RNA (mRNA) for interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), LIF receptor α, and the common coreceptor glycoprotein 130 (GP130), but not the IL‐6 receptor α. Interleukin‐6 protein expression was confirmed by the analysis of conditioned medium and immunohistochemistry. In comparison, normal colonic epithelial cells express mRNA for LIF but not IL‐6 as well as the receptors for GP‐130, IL‐6 receptor α but not LIF receptor α. As cultures of normal human colonic epithelial cells were not available, the conditioned medium was assayed from established colon carcinoma cell lines and demonstrated a secretion of LIF but not IL‐6 protein.

Conclusion: The expression of reciprocal cytokine and receptor expression suggest that there is a paracrine relationship between pericryptal fibroblasts and colonic epithelium.