Alterations in the mucosal immune system in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

Emphasis is now being placed upon obtaining a better understanding of the regulatory cytokines that normally downregulate acute intestinal inflammation. These inhibitory cytokines appear to be missing or not functioning properly in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), thereby leading to perpetuation of inflammation. As we obtain an increased understanding of immune and inflammatory regulatory processes in the intestine, we will be able to devise better future therapeutic strategies for use in our IBD patients.