title: Pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome--review regarding associated infection and immune activation.
abstract: There is increasing evidence regarding the role of immune activation in the etiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which has been mainly been shown in studies investigating mechanisms of postinfectious IBS (PI-IBS). Exposure to intestinal infection induces persistent low-grade systemic and mucosal inflammation, which is characterized by an altered population of circulating cells, mucosal infiltration of immune cells and increased production of various cytokines in IBS patients. Recent studies have also indicated an increased innate immune response in these patients by evaluating expression and activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs). These findings suggest that immune activation may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of IBS. In addition, psychological stress has been reported to be one of the factors that induces immune activation. However, it remains unknown whether immune activation in IBS patients is largely dependent on infectious gastroenteritis and/or psychological stress. Additional studies are necessary to understand the precise mechanism of immune activation and its relationship to the development of IBS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine II, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, Izumo, Japan. si360405@med.shimane-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Shunji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ishihara
authors.forename: Yasumasa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tada
authors.forename: Nobuhiko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fukuba
authors.forename: Akihiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oka
authors.forename: Ryusaku
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kusunoki
authors.forename: Yoshiyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mishima
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Oshima
authors.forename: Ichiro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Moriyama
authors.forename: Takafumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yuki
authors.forename: Kousaku
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kawashima
authors.forename: Yoshikazu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kinoshita
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications*; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors