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HERO ID
449911
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Involvement of IL-6 in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer
Author(s)
Atreya, R; Neurath, MF
Year
2005
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Clinical Reviews in Allergy and Immunology
ISSN:
1080-0549
EISSN:
1559-0267
Volume
28
Issue
3
Page Numbers
187-195
Language
English
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which consists of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is defined as a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinbal tract. The etiopathogenetic mechanisms underlying the development of IBD are still not completely understood, and the therapeutic strategies used thus far have been limited to mostly evidence-based principles. There is growing evidence that the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-6 plays a crucial part in the uncontrolled intestinal inflammatory process, which is a main characteristic of IBD. There is elevated production of IL-6 and its soluble receptor (sIL-6R) by intestinal macrophages and CD4(+) T-Cells. The increased formation of IL-6-sIL-6R complexes that interact with gp130 on the membrane of CD4(+) T-cells (trans-signaling) lead to an increased expression and nuclear translocation of STAT3, which causes the induction of anti-apoptotic genes, such as Bcl-xl. This leads to an augmented resistance of lamina propria T-cells to apoptosis. The ensuing T-cell expansion contributes to the perpetuation of chronic intestinal inflammation. This understanding concerning the predominant pathogenic role of an IL-6-dependent inflammatory cascade may lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies in the treatment of this disease. Recent studies have also suggested a potential role of IL-6-sIL-6R in the pathogenesis of colon cancer and, therefore, imply a possible novel therapeutic strategy targeting the sIL-6R and ensuing IL-6 trans-signaling.
Keywords
colitis; colon cancer; IL-6; propria mononuclear-cells; active crohns-disease; c-reactive protein; mucosal t-cells; ulcerative-colitis; lamina propria; interleukin-6; receptor; colorectal-cancer; circulating interleukin-6; intestinal; inflammation
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