Advances in understanding the role of cytokines in inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Cytokines represent the key pathophysiologic elements that govern the initiation, progression, and, in some circumstances, the resolution of the inflammation occurring in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Areas covered: In this review, we will focus on the main effector and anti-inflammatory cytokines produced in IBD and discuss the results of recent trials in which cytokine-based therapy has been used for treating IBD patients. Expert commentary: The possibility to sample mucosal biopsies from IBD patients and analyze which molecular pathways are prominent during the active phases of the disease and the easy access to various models of experimental colitis has largely advanced our understanding about the role of cytokines in IBD. These progresses have facilitated the development of several therapeutic compounds, which either target inflammatory cytokines or enhance the regulatory function of immunosuppressive cytokines. While some of such drugs are effective in the induction and maintenance of remission of the disease, other compounds are not useful for attenuating the ongoing mucosal inflammation, thus establishing a hierarchical scale of the relevance of cytokines in IBD. Further work is needed to identify biomarkers, which could help personalize cytokine-targeted therapy and minimize potential side effects.

An engineering probiotic producing defensin-5 ameliorating dextran sodium sulfate-induced mice colitis via Inhibiting NF-kB pathway

“…During chronic intestinal inflammation, intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) are exposed to numerous pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, which are produced by multiple immune and nonimmune cells as well as by IECs themselves. For instance, pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), alter tight junction activity and contribute to apoptosis of IECs, thus leading to the loss of barrier function [2]. In the early stage of IBD, intestinal barrier is just destroyed, antigens from the intestinal cavity (Mycobacteria, Campylobacter, Helicobacter and Escherichia coli, etc.)…”

Identification of Differential Intestinal Mucosa Transcriptomic Biomarkers for Ulcerative Colitis by Bioinformatics Analysis

“…Multiple immune and inflammatory signaling pathways, including the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, TNF signaling pathway, and chemokine signaling pathway, are activated and involved in the process of intestinal inflammation [ 8 , 21 ]. Previous studies have demonstrated that the immune-inflammatory response pathway was closely associated with the pathogenesis of UC [ 22 , 23 ], which is mediated by a complex and dynamic relationship between immune cells and cytokines. For instance, the pathways include cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and the TNF signaling pathway was significantly associated with the occurrence and development of UC [ 24 ].…”

Monoterpenes modulating cytokines - A review

“…Several studies and patent applications have shown a trend in the search for new drugs that act on specific cytokines that participate in crucial stages in certain diseases or clinical conditions (Jin and Dong, 2013;Ogawa et al, 2014;Oliveira et al, 2017;Bevivino and Monteleone, 2018). Cytokine therapy emerged from the need to enhance immunity for tumors using the lymphocyte activator and proliferative factor, interleukin-2 (IL-2) (Rider et al, 2016).…”