Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
Investigating Intestinal Inflammation in DSS-induced Model of IBD
Published on: February 1, 2012
Experimental models to study molecular mechanisms underlying intestinal inflammation
C O Elson1, Y Cong, S Brandwein
1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35294, USA.
Experimental animal models, particularly the newer mouse models, have convincingly demonstrated that CD+ T cells play a central role in chronic intestinal inflammation. Such CD4+ effector T cells are induced by the bacterial flora. In at least one model, it is conventional protein antigens that are stimulating these pathogenic T cells. The antigens driving disease seem to be a selective subset of immunodominant proteins, likely derived from a subset of organisms. Multiple genes contribute to colitis susceptibility and a number of these genes are being localized.
Experimental animal models, particularly the newer mouse models, have convincingly demonstrated that CD+ T cells play a central role in chronic intestinal inflammation. Such CD4+ effector T cells are induced by the bacterial flora. In at least one model, it is conventional protein antigens that are stimulating these pathogenic T cells. The antigens driving disease seem to be a selective subset of immunodominant proteins, likely derived from a subset of organisms. Multiple genes contribute to colitis susceptibility and a number of these genes are being localized.
