Growth factors as treatment for inflammatory bowel disease: A concise review of the evidence toward their potential clinical utility

Abstract

In the process of inflammation and repair of the intestinal mucosa in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), there occurs a complex and an unknown interplay of innate and adaptive immune mechanisms. This interaction of factors may explain why IBD is characterized by a relapsing and remitting clinical course. Different components of innate immunity, hormones and interleukins in IBD have been suggested to be impaired. The growth hormone, epidermal growth factor, keratinocyte growth factor and colony-stimulating factors have emerged as potential tools for the modulation of intestinal inflammation and repair. Despite promising results of initial studies, the evidence that justify treatment of patients in clinical practice is not enough as some of the trials are nonrandomized or included a small number of patients. In this concise review, we provide a summary of the most recent and relevant evidence regarding the potential therapeutic effects of growth factors in IBD.

Deletion of SOCS2 Reduces Post-Colitis Fibrosis via Alteration of the TGFβ Pathway

“…Inflammatory processes induce healing processes and regenerative fibrosis that may progress in a self-perpetuating manner and ultimately lead to organ scarring and subsequent loss of function [23]. Growth hormone activity was earlier described as having a beneficial effect on IBD in human and animal models, specifically in its anti-fibrotic activity [2][3][4]6,7,21]. SOCS2 is a pleotropic intracellular protein that target tyrosine phosphorylated targets via its SH2 domain [15,16,[25][26][27].…”

“…This results from an inappropriate immune response with a sustained hyperactivity and proliferation of immune cells. An imbalance in cellular signaling, mediated by hormones and inflammatory cytokines, leads to disruptive intestinal homeostasis, mucosal damage and defective repair [1,2].…”

“…In a small number of Crohn's disease patients, administration of growth hormone (GH) showed positive results, with an improved colitis activity index and less need for immunosuppressors [2,3].…”

Infrared spectrometric biomarkers for ulcerative colitis screening using human serum samples

“…Colitis-associated lipid metabolic dysfunction and the abnormal blood lipid profiles [35] and fluctuation in nucleic acids [36] are also reported. Furthermore, serological markers [10] for UC diagnosis and the discrimination between UC types are investigated [37]. The abnormalities in lipids, amino acids and energy metabolisms in the serum samples of IBD patients are seen [38].…”

IGF-1/β-arrestin 2/ERK Signaling Contributes Intestinal Mucosal Repair in Colitis

“…Once damage occurs, the intestinal epithelium undergoes an injuryinduced repair response to restore the structural and functional integrity rapidly [12]. The efficient repair is accomplished by a process that consists of epithelial restitution, proliferation, and differentiation [13,14]. After intestinal injury, progenitor cells proliferate and differentiate into mature epithelial cells to reestablish the epithelium.…”