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Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis cause severe gastrointestinal dysfunction and reduce the quality of life. Despite intensive research, the exact pathogenesis of IBD remains elusive. Mucosal immune responses are central to intestinal homeostasis. Immune responses in the gut are orchestrated through innate and adaptive immune responses. In this paper, we will focus on innate immune responses mounted through Toll-like receptors (TLR) and NOD-like receptors (NLR). Recently, inflammasome protein complexes working through Iinterleukin-1β and 18 have been shown to play a pivotal role in the maintenance of gut homeostasis. Recent research work indicates NLRs such as NLRP1, 3, 6 and 12 provide functional roles in inflammasome activation in intestinal physiology. This review highlights the role of inflammasomes in intestinal health and dysfunction.

Item Type:	Substantial Review
Keywords:	inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, inflammasomes, innate immunity
Research Division:	Medical and Health Sciences
Research Group:	Immunology
Research Field:	Immunology not elsewhere classified
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions)
Objective Field:	Digestive System Disorders
UTAS Author:	Ranson, NM (Dr Nicole Ranson)
UTAS Author:	Eri, RD (Associate Professor Raj Eri)
ID Code:	85359
Year Published:	2013
Deposited By:	Health Sciences A
Deposited On:	2013-07-02
Last Modified:	2013-07-02
Downloads:	0