Lymphokines and the intestinal immune response. Role in inflammatory bowel disease.

The study of production of and response to various soluble mediators by gut-derived mucosal mononuclear cells has contributed significantly to a better understanding of the regulation of the intestinal immune system. So far, a number of factors have been investigated in some detail or in a preliminary fashion: interleukin 1, interleukin 2, interleukin 4, interferon gamma and colony-stimulatory factors. Their level of activity, and their effect on the intestinal mucosal immune system are discussed, particularly in regard to their potential role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease.