1. Role of interleukin 15 in colitis induced by dextran sulphate sodium in mice.
- Author
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Yoshihara, K., Yajima, Toshiki, Kubo, C., and Yoshikai, Y.
- Subjects
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COLITIS , *INFLAMMATORY bowel diseases , *INTESTINAL diseases , *INTERLEUKINS , *IMMUNE system , *DENDRITIC cells , *LABORATORY mice - Abstract
Background and aims: Interleukin (IL)-15 is a member of the IL-2 family, stimulating dendritic cells, natural killer (NK) cells, NK T cells and memory CD8+ T cells. IL-15 levels were elevated in the intestinal mucosa of inflammatory bowel diseases. Here we investigated the involvement of IL-15 in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) induced colitis. Methods: IL-15 knockout (KO) mice and control C57BL/6 mice were used to induce colitis with DSS in their drinking water. Survival rate, clinical activity of diseases, extent of tissue damage, leucocyte population, and cytokine production of lamina propria (LP) cells of the large intestines were assessed. Results: IL-15 KO mice exhibited resistance to DSS induced acute colitis, as reflected by lower lethality, weight loss, clinical scores, and histological scores compared with those in control mice (p
- Published
- 2006
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