Interleukins IL-33 and IL-17/IL-17A in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Background/aims: Disturbance of immune homeostasis in ulcerative colitis (UC) is related to the predominance of T-helper-2 (Th2) immune response. Interleukin (IL)-33 stimulates Th lymphocytes to produce Th2 cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, which are believed to induce pathological changes in the intestinal mucosa. The pro-inflammatory role of IL-17 in UC is still unclear.