Authors: Festen, Eleonora A.M.; Szperl, Agata M.; Weersma, Rinse K.; Wijmenga, Cisca; Wapenaar, Martin C.

Source: Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets, Volume 9, Number 2, June 2009 , pp. 199-218(20)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

Inflammatory bowel disease, which covers Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and celiac disease are both inflammatory diseases of the intestinal tract. In both diseases an antigen activates several inflammatory pathways, which cause extensive damage to the intestinal mucosa and lead to increased permeability of the intestinal epithelium. The causative antigen in inflammatory bowel disease is the microflora in the intestinal lumen, facilitated by an impaired innate immune system that is unable to halt the invasion of microbes into the lamina propria. These provoke T helper 1 and T helper 17 responses in Crohn's disease and a T helper 2 response in ulcerative colitis. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and interleukins produced in these processes lead to impairment of tight junctions and increased permeability of the intestinal epithelial lining. In celiac disease, inflammation is caused by dietary gluten, a peptide present in wheat, barley and rye. In genetically predisposed people, gliadin peptides (derivatives of gluten) are presented on the Human Leukocyte Antigen DQ2 or DQ-8 molecules of antigen-presenting cells to T helper cells. This provokes a T helper 1 response, which leads to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and subsequent damage to, and increased permeability of the intestinal epithelium. We describe the details and overlaps in the pathomechanism and genetics of inflammatory bowel disease and celiac disease, and discuss potential drug targets for intervention.

Keywords: Inflammatory bowel disease; Crohn's disease; ulcerative colitis; celiac disease; mucosal immunity; intestinal permeability; Th1 response; Th17 response

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187153009788452426

Publication date: 2009-06-01

More about this publication?

• This journal is devoted to timely reviews of experimental and clinical studies in the field of endocrine, metabolic, and immune disorders. Specific emphasis is placed on humoral and cellular targets for natural, synthetic, and genetically engineered drugs that enhance or impair endocrine, metabolic, and immune parameters and functions. Topics related to the neuroendocrine-immune axis are given special emphasis in view of the growing interest in stress-related, inflammatory, autoimmune, and degenerative disorders.

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Allergy & Immunology ,  Medicine (General) ,  Pharmacology
• By this author: Festen, Eleonora A.M. ;  Szperl, Agata M. ;  Weersma, Rinse K. ;  Wijmenga, Cisca ;  Wapenaar, Martin C.

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers