Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026
05:08
A TNBS-Induced Rodent Model to Study the Pathogenic Role of Mechanical Stress in Crohn's Disease
Published on: March 1, 2022
Is irritable bowel syndrome an inflammatory disorder?
Roberto De Giorgio1, Giovanni Barbara
1Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Building #5 (Nuove Patologie), St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Via Massarenti, 9, I-40138 Bologna, Italy. deg@aosp.bo.it
Current Gastroenterology Reports
|July 17, 2008
Summary
Low-grade mucosal inflammation, characterized by increased T lymphocytes and mast cells, is observed in some irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients. This finding suggests neuroimmune interactions may underlie IBS symptoms and opens avenues for new treatments.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is often associated with gut sensorimotor dysfunction.
- A subset of IBS patients exhibits low-grade mucosal inflammation.
- This inflammation involves T lymphocytes and mast cells in the lamina propria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of mucosal inflammation in IBS pathophysiology.
- To explore the link between neuroimmune cross-talk and IBS symptoms.
- To identify potential therapeutic targets for IBS.
Main Methods:
- Histopathologic examination of mucosal biopsies from IBS patients.
- Analysis of immune cell infiltration (T lymphocytes, mast cells).
- Assessment of the proximity of immunocytes to enteric nerves.
Main Results:
- Histopathology revealed low-grade mucosal inflammation in a subset of IBS patients.
- Increased T lymphocytes and mast cells were found in the lamina propria.
- Close apposition of these immune cells to gut nerves suggests neuroimmune interactions.
Conclusions:
- Low-grade mucosal inflammation is a relevant finding in IBS.
- Neuroimmune cross-talk, facilitated by mucosal inflammation, may contribute to IBS symptoms.
- This understanding has implications for developing novel IBS therapies.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Irritable Bowel Syndrome
DefinitionIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent combinations of abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation.Pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndromeIts pathophysiology is multifactorial, involving disturbances in motility, sensory processing, microbial balance, barrier integrity, and gut–brain communication. These mechanisms interact to produce symptoms that vary across IBS subtypes.Altered Motility PatternsDisordered...
01:17Irritable Bowel Syndrome I: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is characterized by functional disturbances in the gastrointestinal system, presenting a cluster of symptoms without evident structural or biochemical abnormalities. It primarily affects the large intestine and may cause abdominal pain, bloating, excessive gas, diarrhea, constipation, or both.
IBS is a chronic condition that can persist over a long period or recur frequently.
The pathogenesis of IBS involves a complex interplay of the following factors:
Altered...
IBS is a chronic condition that can persist over a long period or recur frequently.
The pathogenesis of IBS involves a complex interplay of the following factors:
Altered...
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
01:20Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon characterized by continuous mucosal inflammation that typically begins in the rectum and extends proximally in a uniform pattern. Its pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, and environmental influences. These factors converge to impair the colon’s epithelial defenses and promote an exaggerated inflammatory response against luminal contents.Breakdown of the Mucosal BarrierA...
01:26Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic disorders marked by recurrent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract due to an abnormal immune response against gut microflora. This leads to tissue damage. The two main forms are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.Crohn’s DiseaseCrohn’s disease is a relapsing inflammatory disorder that can affect any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. It involves all layers of the bowel wall (transmural) and shows “skip lesions” in which...
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...