Figure 6

Model of sST2 expression regulated by GCs in cells of the intestinal mucosa. (A) The chronic inflammation observed in IBD patients promotes damage of the intestinal epithelium that results in IL33 release. This cytokine through its regenerative mechanisms could promote re-epithelization and mucosa healing. (B) On the other hand, through its pro-inflammatory effects, it mediates the production of other inflammatory mediators in a wide range of immune cells exacerbating the inflammatory response. (C) The administration of exogenous GCs can modulate the inflammation. (D) In subjects harbouring the CC;AA haplotype, which involves the GRE3 located in the distal promoter of the IL1RL1 gene, a greater expression of sST2 can be induced by GCs in immune cells, which could dramatically limit the regenerative activity of IL33 by perpetuating the damage at the intestinal level.