Mechanisms associated with diet-induced colitis

NARRATIVE Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a disease in which intestine is chronically inflamed. Although the causes of IBD are unknown, some researchers believe that certain immune hormones (cytokines), and environmental factors, such as bacteria and stress, contribute to disease severity. We have created animals that produce abnormal amounts of IL-23, a cytokine that has been associated with IBD. These animals, referred to as R23FR mice, develop an intestinal disease that has many similarities with human IBD. In this proposal we will study how IL-23, bacteria, immune cells and diet contribute to disease in this new animal model of IBD. !