Lessons for human inflammatory bowel disease from experimental models

Experiments carried out in new rodent models of chronic intestinal inflammation provide important clues about the pathogenesis of human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Genetic factors and enteric microflora are driving forces regulating mucosal immune responses, some of which are pathogenic and lead to colitis. CD4(+) T cells are the major pathogenic cells in colitis, and the type of injury depends on the nature of the cytokine imbalance. The cytokine network controlled by CD4(+) T cells dictates the outcome of the mucosal immune responses. Certain cytokines, such as transforming growth factor-beta and interleukin-10, have a suppressive role, and immunoregulatory T cells capable of secreting these cytokines may be induced at intestinal mucosal sites. Lessons learned from these experimental models are leading to new strategies for the treatment of IBD.