TL1A is a TNF-like cytokine that binds to the death-domain receptor (DR)3 and provides costimulatory signals to activated lymphocytes. Through this interaction, TL1A induces secretion of IFN-␥ and may, therefore, participate in the development of T helper-1-type effector responses. In this study, we investigated whether interactions between TL1A and DR3 are involved in the pathogenesis of chronic murine ileitis. We demonstrate that alternative splicing of DR3 mRNA takes place during the activation of lymphocytes, which results in up-regulation of the complete͞transmembrane (tm) form of DR3. Using two immunogenetically distinct animal models of Crohn's disease, we demonstrate that induction of intestinal inflammation is associated with significant up-regulation of TL1A and tm DR3 in the inflamed mucosa. In addition, within isolated lamina propria mononuclear cells from mice with inflammation, TL1A is primarily expressed on CD11c high dendritic cells. We also report that TL1A acts preferentially on memory CD4 ؉ ͞CD45RB lo murine lymphocytes by significantly inducing their proliferation, whereas it does not affect the proliferation of the naïve CD4 ؉ ͞ CD45RB hi T helper cell subpopulation. Finally, we demonstrate that TL1A synergizes with both the cytokine-dependent IL-12͞IL-18 pathway and with low-dose stimulation of the T cell receptor to significantly induce the secretion of IFN-␥ via an IL-18-independent pathway. Our results raise the possibility that interaction(s) between TL1A expressed on antigen-presenting cells and tm DR3 on lymphocytes may be of particular importance for the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory conditions that depend on IFN-␥ secretion, including inflammatory bowel disease. Blockade of the TL1A͞DR3 pathway may, therefore, offer therapeutic opportunities in Crohn's disease.Crohn's disease ͉ cytokines ͉ mucosal inflammation T he differentiation of naïve CD4 ϩ lymphocytes into IFN-␥-secreting Th1 ''effector'' cells is a multistep process that involves several cell types, costimulatory molecules, transcription factors, and secreted cytokines (1). Antigen-presenting cell (APC)-derived IL-12 is essential for the induction of IFN-␥, an effect that is greatly enhanced by IL-18 (2). IL-12 up-regulates T-bet, a transcription factor that is critical for the stabilization of a T helper (Th)1-polarized phenotype (3). Recently, additional cytokines that play prominent roles during Th1 responses have been described, such as IL-27 and IL-23 (4). Engagement of the T cell receptor (TCR) provides further signals for the induction of IFN-␥, both in parallel to and independently of cytokinemediated pathways (1).Members of the TNF and TNF-receptor superfamilies of proteins (TNFSFPs and TNFRSFPs, respectively) are abundantly expressed in the immune system, and are critically involved in the differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis of immune cells (5). Several members of these families induce secretion of IFN-␥ upon ligand͞receptor binding, thereby enhancing Th1-type responses (6-8). TL1A (TNFSPF15) is a r...