Protective effect of TSLP and IL-33 cytokines in ulcerative colitis

Purpose: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) primarily includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a cytokine produced by intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) with immunomodulatory properties that plays an important role in the development of regulatory T cell (Treg) responses and tolerance in the gut. On the other hand, IL-33 has been considered as a cytokine with two different properties, inflammatory and anti-inflammatory functions, the latter may play a protective role against chronic intestinal inflammation. In the present study, we investigated the relative gene expression levels of TSLP and IL-33 molecules in ulcerative colitis. Methods: Patients with clinical symptoms of colitis undergoing a routine diagnostic colonoscopy were included in this study. Biopsy specimens were collected and divided into two parts. One part was fixed and processed for routine histopathological examinations and the other part was stored for RNA extraction. TSLP and IL-33 gene expression were determined using the SYBR Green qRT-PCR. Results: The expression level of TSLP and IL-33 were significantly lower in UC patients compared with the control group. Moreover, the expressions of these cytokines were more down-regulated in severe UC patients compared with mild and moderate ones and the control group. We also showed a positive correlation between low expression of TSLP and IL-33 and the severity of UC disease. Conclusions: In this study, we showed decreased mRNA expression levels of TSLP and IL-33 in UC patients and also a negative correlation between expression of TSLP and IL-33 and severity of UC disease.