CYTOKINE PRODUCTION IN THE HUMAN GASTROINTESTINAL-TRACT DURING INFLAMMATION

Cytokines are immunoregulatory and proinflammatory products secreted b y a variety of cells, particularly those of the immune system. Cytokin es play a pivotal role in the intestinal immune system in health and d isease. During intestinal inflammation, the concentration, source, and function of these molecules are altered. No abnormality is specific f or any particular type of bowel inflammation, because similar changes occur in diseases of different etiology and pathogenesis. Thus, simple measurement of any cytokine in the gut, or more so in the circulation , is of limited value when trying to understand diseases where multipl e cells and complex functional interactions occur. In spite of this, t he study of cytokines has contributed the most towards expanding our k nowledge of gut inflammation. Not only will further investigation of t hese mediators ultimately uncover the intimate mechanisms of normal an d pathologic mucosal immunity, but understanding their modulation will be the key to truly effective anti-inflammatory therapies.