Table 2.
Cytokines involved in gut homeostasis and diseases.
| Cytokine | Producer cells | Target cells | Physiology | Disease |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IFNγ | NK, TL, ILC | Mϕ, BL, TL, IECs, END | Class II antigen expression, immunity, epithelial/endothelial permeabilization | CD, UC |
| IL1β | Mϕ, NK, PMN | Mϕ, BL, TL, IECs, END, FBs | Pyrogen, induces multiple inflammatory cytokines expression | Autoinflammatory disorders, CRC |
| IL6 | Mϕ, IECs, END, FBs | BL, TL, FBs, HEP | Pyrogen, induces acute phase proteins, induces B and T cells maturation and platelet production | Chronic inflammation and autoimmunity, CRC |
| IL10 | Mϕ, many tissues | most cells | Inhibits inflammatory and Th1 responses, stimulates BL, restores epithelial homeostasis | IBD, CRC |
| IL12 | DCs, Mϕ, PMN | NK, TL, ILC, Tγδ | Th1 responses, TNFα and IFNγ secretion | IBD |
| IL13 | NK, TL, ILC, EO | BL, Mϕ, IECs, FBs | Th2 responses against helminths, goblet cells activation and proliferation | CD, UC, fibrosis |
| IL15 | Mϕ, DCs, IECs | NK, TL, ILC, Tγδ, IECs | Th1 responses, IEC death | CD, UD, coeliac disease |
| IL17 | TL, NK, Tγδ, ILC | TL, IECs, END, FBs | Th17 responses, IEC barrier strength | CD |
| IL18 | IECs | TL, NK, IECs | Limits Th17 differentiation, induces IFNγ secretion, sustains IEC regeneration, blocks goblet cells development | UC |
| IL22 | ILC, NK, Tγδ, TL | IECs | Secretion of antibacterial peptides and mucins, LGR5+ stem cells proliferation | CD, CRC |
| IL23 | DCs | ILC, NK, Tγδ, TL | IL22 and IL17 expression, Th17 responses | CD, CRC |
| IL25 | Tuft cells, TL, Mast cells | ILC2 | Th2 responses against helminths | |
| TGFβ | DCs, IECs, FBs | LT, IECs, FBs | Inhibits Th1 and Th2 responses, induces Th17 and Tregs, IgA maturation, FB proliferation, IEC inhibition | CD, UC, CRC |
| TNFα | Mϕ, TL, NK, PMN, EO, IEC, END, FBs | Mϕ, TL, PMN, IEC, END, FBs | Pyrogen, induces acute phase proteins, pro-inflammatory, cytotoxic responses, epithelial permeability and IEC apoptosis | CD, autoimmunity |
Mϕ, macrophages; NK, natural killer; TL, T lymphocytes; BL, B lymphocytes; ILC, innate lymphoid cells; Tγδ, gamma-delta T cells; DCs, dendritic cells; PMN, polymorphonucleated neutrophils; EO, eosinophils; IEC, intestinal epithelial cells; END, endothelial cells; FBs, fibroblasts; HEP, hepatocytes; CD, Crohn's Disease; UC, Ulcerative Colitis; CRC, Colorectal carcinoma; IBD, Inflammatory Bowel disease.