• DOI:10.1136/gut.52.1.65
• Corpus ID: 27107007

Increased expression of interleukin 17 in inflammatory bowel disease

@article{Fujino2003IncreasedEO,
  title={Increased expression of interleukin 17 in inflammatory bowel disease},
  author={Sanae Fujino and Akira Andoh and Shigeki Bamba and Atsuhiro Ogaẃa and Kazunori Hata and Yoshio Araki and Tadao Bamba and Yoshihide Fujiyama},
  journal={Gut},
  year={2003},
  volume={52},
  pages={65 - 70}
}

• S. Fujino, A. Andoh, +5 authors Y. Fujiyama
• Published 1 January 2003
• Medicine, Biology
• Gut

Background and aim: Interleukin (IL) 17 is a cytokine which exerts strong proinflammatory activities. In this study we evaluated changes in IL-17 expression in the inflamed mucosa and in the serum of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: Tissue samples were obtained endoscopically or surgically from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) (n=20), Crohn’s disease (CD) (n=20), infectious colitis (n=5), ischaemic colitis (n=8), and normal colorectal tissues (n=15). IL-17 expression was evaluated by a standard immunohistochemical procedure. Serum IL-17 levels were determined by ELISA. IL-17 mRNA expression was analysed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Results: IL-17 expression was not detected in samples from normal colonic mucosa, infectious colitis, or ischaemic colitis. In the inflamed mucosa of active UC and CD patients, IL-17 expression was clearly detectable in CD3+ T cells or CD68+ monocytes/macrophages. The average number of IL-17+ cells was significantly increased in active UC and CD patients compared with inactive patients. IL-17 mRNA expression was not detected in normal mucosa but was detectable in the mucosa from active UC and CD patients. IL-17 was not detected in the sera from normal individuals, infectious colitis, or ischaemic colitis patients but IL-17 levels were significantly elevated in IBD patients. Conclusions: IL-17 expression in the mucosa and serum was increased in IBD patients. It is likely that IL-17 expression in IBD may be associated with altered immune and inflammatory responses in the intestinal mucosa.