Increased expression of CXCL16, a bacterial scavenger receptor, in the colon of children with ulcerative colitis.

Background And Aims: CXCL16 is a scavenger receptor which has been connected to phagocytosis of bacterial antigens in experimental colitis. It has also been shown to have a pivotal role in the development of experimental colitis in mice. The increased expression of CXCL16 has been demonstrated in inflamed lesions of patients with Crohn disease.