CYTOKINE INTERACTIONS WITH EPITHELIUM

Cytokines are a family of proteins that serve as intracellular messeng ers within the immune system and as growth factors for several cell ty pes. Recent studies indicate that intestinal inflammation is accompani ed by increases in a wide variety of cytokines and growth factors. Cur rent knowledge in the area of cytokine-epithelial interactions, with p articular reference to the involvement of such interactions in intesti nal inflammation, is reviewed. Topics include epithelial functions sub ject to modulation by cytokines; effects of cytokines on epithelial da mage, restitution and proliferation; effects of cytokines on the abili ty of the epithelium to express immune accessory and adhesion molecule s; and effects of cytokines on the production of inflammatory mediator s by the epithelium.