Colonic explant production of IL-1and its receptor antagonist is imbalanced in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

IBD is associated with an increased activation of intestinal immune cells, which causes overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta. IL-1beta is implicated in mediating the sustained inflammatory response. IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), the naturally occurring inhibitor of IL-1, has been shown to have beneficial effects in experimental models of colitis.

Tyrosine kinase and MAPK inhibition of TNF-alpha- and EGF-stimulated IEC-6 cell growth.

The role of TNF-alpha in modulating intestinal crypt cell growth was examined, in comparison with EGF. Both significantly increased IEC-6 cell proliferation. Neither EGF nor TNF-alpha overcame the inhibitory effect on growth exerted by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein.

Quantitative PCR analysis of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta mRNA levels in pediatric IBD mucosal biopsies.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with increased activation of intestinal immune cells, whose overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) is implicated in mediating the sustained inflammatory response. Studies to date have largely reported qualitative differences in cytokine gene expression between IBD and controls. Our aim was to perform quantitative analysis of intestinal mucosal mRNA expression in colonic biopsies from pediatric IBD patients using a competitive polymerase chain reaction.

Leucocyte adhesion deficiency presenting as a chronic ileocolitis.

CD11/CD18 leucocyte glycoprotein deficiency is a rare, congenital adhesion molecule disorder which, in its severe form, is usually fatal. Leucocytes in affected subjects have abnormal migration and adherence, rendering patients susceptible to life threatening infections. The CD11/CD18 integrins, and other adhesion molecules, are considered essential to the normal inflammatory response.