Correlation of Circulating Cathelcidin Level and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity

Abstract

nflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), which include Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are a group of idiopathic, chronic and relapsing inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, whose incidence and prevalence has been increasing in the last decade. UC is continuously affects the colonic mucosa proximal from the rectum and often forms erosions and/or ulcers. CD is characterized by discontinuously affected areas with transmural granulomatous inflammation and/or fistula. CD can affect any region in the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus, but is more likely to involve the small and large intestines (especially the ileocecum) and the perianal region. Cathelicidin is an endogenous antimicrobial peptide present in the surface of epithelial cells in the colon and stomach. It is one important effector molecule of innate immune defense. It inhibits the growth of various microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, certain parasites, and viruses by membrane permeabilization. Also, cathelicidin has many other activities related to inflammation and wound healing.. LL-37modulate the activity of immune and inflammatory cells and promote r-epithelialization of human skin wounds.