Illuminating the role of type I IFNs in colitis
Stefan Wirtz, Markus F. Neurath
Stefan Wirtz, Markus F. Neurath
Published March 1, 2005
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2005;115(3):586-588. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI24518.
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Commentary

Illuminating the role of type I IFNs in colitis

Abstract

Recently, type I interferons IFN-α and IFN-β (IFN-α/β) have been evaluated in pilot clinical trials for the treatment of active ulcerative colitis. However, the underlying mechanisms that may contribute to a potential therapeutic effect are incompletely understood. A new study in this issue demonstrates a protective role for IFN-α/β, induced by activation of a Toll-like receptor 9–dependent pathway, in a rodent model of experimental colitis.

Authors

Stefan Wirtz, Markus F. Neurath

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Figure 1

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Hypothetical model for a regulatory role of type I IFNs in the gut. Inte...
Hypothetical model for a regulatory role of type I IFNs in the gut. Intestinal bacteria entering the mucosa after epithelial damage or exogenous administration of CpG ODNs are recognized by mucosal plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) via TLR9. Stimulated pDCs produce IFN-α/β, which promote epithelial regeneration or generation of regulatory T cell subsets (e.g., T regulatory 1 cells; Tr1).