Immunomodulatory effect of ghrelin in the intestinal mucosa.
The gastrointestinal tract is the largest endocrine organ in the body and it produces a wide array of hormones and neuropeptides. Ghrelin, a 28-amino acid hormone produced mainly by the X/A-like endocrine cells in the gastric mucosa, has widespread tissue distribution and diverse physiological functions such as hormonal, orexigenic, metabolic, cardiovascular, neurological and immunological activities. Recent research has implicated ghrelin in gastrointestinal pathological conditions and immune system regulation, but its contribution is controversial. Although ghrelin levels are elevated in clinical active inflammatory bowel diseases, confirmation of its exact role using experimental models remains unclear. This review discusses the conflicting effects of ghrelin on intestinal inflammation, through the different possible immune and intracellular mechanisms and highlights new findings.
Immunology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
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Immunology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.|Internal Medicine Section of Gastroenterology, IBD Clinical and Research Centre, Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
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Ghia
D000818:Animals; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D054439:Ghrelin
T helper cells; apoptosis; colitis; ghrelin; immune regulation; macrophages