Inflammatory bowel disease (colitis) is a CD4 T-cell mediated disease that can be transferred to naive mice by administration of effector CD4 T cells that home to the gastrointestinal tract and induce inflammation. Simultaneous administration of neutralizing antibodies to IL-12p40 can prevent the disease, as can neutralizing antibodies to IL-23p19. Disease symptoms can be exacerbated by administration of IL-23, but not of IL-12. These data strongly suggest that: A) Both T_H1 and T_H17 effector cells contribute to disease. B) T_H1 cells producing INF-$\gamma$ are the major causes of disease. C) IL-12p35 is a critical component of disease induction. D) The inducible IL-12R$\beta$ subunit is essential for disease induction. E) Neutralizing antibodies to IL-17 would prevent disease.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The information provided indicates that IL-23, which is known to promote the differentiation and maintenance of Th17 cells that produce IL-17, plays a crucial role in the disease process. Since neutralizing antibodies to IL-23p19 can prevent the disease and IL-23 exacerbates symptoms, it suggests that IL-17-producing cells (a downstream effect of IL-23 signaling) are involved in the disease mechanism. Neutralizing antibodies to IL-17 would therefore likely prevent the disease by targeting these pathogenic Th17 cells.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Colitis) Is a CD4 T-Cell Mediated Disease γ\gammaγ

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Colitis) Is a CD4 T-Cell Mediated Disease $\gamma$