Il-6 signaling in inflammatory bowel disease: pathophysiological role and clinical relevance

Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2007 Aug;13(8):1016-23. doi: 10.1002/ibd.20148.

Abstract

Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) occurring in the gut of genetically susceptible individuals independent of a specific pathogen. The interaction between antigen-presenting cells and the local bacterial flora contributes to an uncontrolled activation of mucosal CD4+ T lymphocytes with the consecutive release of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, and also IL-17, which is attributed to a specific, differentiated CD4+ lineage called Th17 (TH-IL17, THi). Recent data suggest that IL-6 contributes to Th17 differentiation. However, to clarify the importance of Th17 cells in IBD further data are needed. So far, CD has been attributed to a Th1-mediated disease, whereas UC exhibits a modified Th2 cytokine response. In both diseases CD4+ T cells at the site of inflammation are critically dependent on antiapoptotic IL-6 signaling. Thereby, IL-6 induces the transcription factor STAT-3 via transsignaling (activation of a cell lacking membrane-bound IL-6 receptor via soluble IL-6 receptor). STAT-3 itself induces the antiapoptotic factors bcl-2 and bcl-xL, thus resulting in T-cell resistance against apoptosis. This vicious circle of T-cell accumulation, mediated by apoptosis resistance, finally leading to chronic inflammation, can be blocked by anti-IL-6 receptor antibodies. This review highlights the role of IL-6 in IBD immunopathogenesis and its clinical relevance in IBD therapy and diagnostics.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Humans
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / immunology*
  • Interleukin-17 / physiology
  • Interleukin-6 / physiology*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-6 / physiology
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*

Substances

  • Interleukin-17
  • Interleukin-6
  • Receptors, Interleukin-6