Published in:
Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 59 (2014) 2
Language:
English
DOI:
10.1097/mpg.0000000000000387
ISSN:
1536-4801;
0277-2116
Origination:
Footnote:
Description:
ABSTRACTObjectives:The function of interleukin (IL)‐37 has not been resolved. We recently showed that IL‐37 suppresses colonic inflammation in mice. To gain more insight into its relevance in human disease, we investigated the expression of IL‐37 in the intestine of pediatric patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).Methods:Intestinal biopsies were obtained from children with IBD (18 Crohn disease [CD], 14 ulcerative colitis [UC] and 11 controls) during endoscopy and analyzed for IL‐37 expression by immunohistochemistry and real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Results were correlated with immunostaining for IL‐18 and IL‐17, messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines, and clinical parameters.Results:IL‐37 protein was detected in epithelial cells and submucosal lymphoid cells of patients with CD and UC as well as healthy controls. IL‐37 protein expression tended to be higher with submucosal lymphoid cell infiltration of patients with CD and UC and correlated with histological severity score of inflammation. IL‐18 showed a staining pattern similar to that of IL‐37, whereas staining for IL‐17 revealed distinct positive cells scattered in the submucosal layer. mRNA expression of IL‐8, IL‐17, and IL‐10 was upregulated in patients with CD and UC. mRNA levels of IL‐18 and IL‐37 were not significantly elevated compared with controls. Levels of IL‐37 and IL‐18 mRNA showed a positive correlation in the CD group.Conclusions:IL‐37 protein is expressed in healthy and diseased bowel tissue. IL‐37 and IL‐18 show a similar expression pattern and correlate at mRNA levels. Future studies are warranted to delineate the specific contribution of IL‐37 to modulate chronic bowel inflammation in humans.