Serum IL-6, IL-23 profile and Treg/Th17 peripheral cell populations in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

IL-6 and IL-23 are both pleiotropic cytokines involved in the regulation of the immune response, inflammation, and hematopoeisis. They also could mediate effector cells and tolerance mediated by cells with regulatory function. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with a reduced ratio of Treg cells ato Th17 effector cells in peripheral blood and is characterised by a pro-inflammatory cytokine microenvironment which supports the continued generation of Th17 cells.

Aberrant frequency of IL-10-producing B cells and its association with the balance of Treg/Th17 in children with inflammatory bowel disease.

Regulatory B cells (Breg) are a distinct B cell subset, which contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) plays a pivotal function to Breg. It is well described in adults but little is known in a pediatric population.