Publications by authors named "Elise Punkenburg"
Background: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) represent a group of chronic immune-mediated disorders that are influenced by a genetic predisposition and additional environmental triggers. Genome-wide association studies strongly implicate that a number of immune system-related genetic variations are critically contributing to the initiation and promotion of intestinal inflammation. Especially the identification of the strong association of a series of single nucleotide polymorphisms including interleukin (IL)-23R, CCR6, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) and Stat4 with IBD susceptibility point at a critical involvement of T cells and especially of IL-17a-producing Th17 cells in the immune pathogenesis of IBD.
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- The study investigates the role of Th17-associated transcription factors, specifically the Batf protein, in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
- Researchers used genetically modified mice to show that Batf expression correlates with increased levels of IL-23 and is crucial for the regulation of both sporadic and colitis-associated colon cancer.
- The findings suggest that focusing on Batf-dependent T cells could provide new therapeutic strategies to slow down or prevent the progression of CRC in patients with IBDs.