The role of the novel Th17 cytokine IL-26 in intestinal inflammation

Abstract

Intestinal cells express the functional IL-26 receptor complex. IL-26 modulates IEC proliferation and proinflammatory gene expression and its expression is upregulated in active Crohn's disease, indicating a role for this cytokine system in the innate host cell response during intestinal inflammation. For the first time, IL-26 expression is demonstrated in colonic RORgammat-expressing Th17 cells in situ, supporting a role for this cell type in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease.