Cytokine Networks in Ulcerative Colitis
Open Access
- 10 January 2011
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Hindawi Limited in Ulcers
- Vol. 2011, 1-5
- https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/391787
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a relapsing inflammatory bowel disease whose pathogenesis has yet to be defined completely. A genetic predisposition is needed to develop the colitis, but environmental factors are necessary to trigger an exaggerated and aberrant immune response, which stands at the basis of the mucosal healing. Cytokines, small cell-signaling protein molecules secreted by various types of cells including immune and glia cells, are the main mediators of the mucosal healing in IBD; ulcerative colitis is characterized by a Th2 atypical immune response, since, beside the classical proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α, in the pathogenesis of UC, we find a complex network in which the Th2 cytokines, IL-10 and IL-13, play a key role, but little IL-4 was found. Our aim was to review the literature to point out the state of the art in terms of cytokines because the knowledge of cytokine network in UC could lead to the discovery of new therapeutical targets.Keywords
This publication has 28 references indexed in Scilit:
- Evolving paradigms in the pathogenesis of IBDThe Esophagus, 2009
- Activation of an IL-6:STAT3-dependent transcriptome in pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel diseaseInflammatory Bowel Diseases, 2008
- Role of cytokines in inflammatory bowel diseaseWorld Journal of Gastroenterology, 2008
- Implication of TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand in Inflammatory Intestinal Epithelial LesionsGastroenterology, 2006
- Interleukin-13 Is the Key Effector Th2 Cytokine in Ulcerative Colitis That Affects Epithelial Tight Junctions, Apoptosis, and Cell RestitutionGastroenterology, 2005
- Infliximab for acute, not steroid-refractory ulcerative colitisEuropean Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 2004
- The immunological and genetic basis of inflammatory bowel diseaseNature Reviews Immunology, 2003
- The genetics of inflammatory bowel diseaseAlimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 2001
- The acute phase responseImmunology Today, 1994
- Interleukin-10-deficient mice develop chronic enterocolitisCell, 1993