The role of novel IL-1 family members in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is characterized by an imbalance between effector and regulatory arms of intestinal immunity. Emerging evidence suggests that IL-1 family members play a critical role in the maintenance of gut homeostasis. In this study we have measured expression levels of the novel IL-1 family members, IL-36 and IL-37, in a paediatric IBD cohort. We subsequently used the DSS model of colitis to investigate the role of the IL-36R pathway in intestinal inflammation.