Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 29, 2026

Induction of Intestinal Inflammation by Adoptive Transfer of CBir1 TCR Transgenic CD4+ T Cells to Immunodeficient Mice
Published on: December 16, 2021
Are sTWEAK and IL-17A Levels in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Associated with Disease Activity and Etiopathogenesis?
Mustafa Kaplan1, Mahmut Yuksel, Ihsan Ates
1*Department of Gastroenterology, Turkey Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey; †Department of Internal Medicine, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey; ‡Department of Microbiology, Turkey Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey; and §Department of Immunology and Allergy, Atatürk Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Background:
We aimed to identify the levels of soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) and interleukin 17A (IL-17A) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to examine their relationship with disease activity.
Methods:
A total of 92 patients with IBD, in which 54 patients were diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and 38 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), and 104 healthy controls were included in the study. The Rachmilewitz endoscopic activity index was calculated in ulcerative colitis, and the CD activity index was calculated in CD.
Results:
sTWEAK (P < 0.001) and IL-17A (P = 0.006) levels were higher in the IBD group than in the control group. Both in the IBD group and ulcerative colitis and CD subgroups, in active patients, sTWEAK and IL-17A levels were found to be higher than in inactive and control groups. In the IBD group, a positive correlation was determined between sTWEAK and IL-17A, and C-reactive protein, endoscopic activity index, and CD activity index. In multivariable regression analysis, C-reactive protein and sTWEAK levels were determined to be an independent risk factor for both endoscopic activity index and CD activity index. In receiver operating curve analysis, the sTWEAK level was determined to predict IBD with high sensitivity and specificity with a value of >588.34 pg/mL and activity with a value of >669.28 pg/mL.
Conclusion:
Based on these results, we ascertain that sTWEAK has a role in etiopathogenesis of IBD. In addition, we believe that sTWEAK could be used as a marker for both disease activity criteria and treatment monitoring.
Related Concept Videos
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
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 IV: Pharmacological Management
Pharmacologic...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF

