Mice deficient in Th1- and Th2-type cytokines develop distinct forms of hapten-induced colitis

Abstract

Background and Aims: Most experimental models for inflammatory bowel disease in mice are associated with production of interferon (IFN)-γ and other proinflammatory cytokines. We hypothesized that T-helper 2 (Th2)-type cells could also contribute to the colitis and cause inflammation different than that mediated by Th1-type cells. Methods: Trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in C57BL/6 background mice genetically deficient in interleukin (IL)-12 p40 (IL-12(-/-)), IFN-γ (IFN-γ(-/-)), or IL-4 (IL-4(-/-)) was examined in comparison with control mice (C57BL/6(+/+)). Results: C57BL/6(+/+), IFN-γ(-/-), and IL-12(-/-) mice developed patterns of colitis characterized by distortion of crypts, loss of goblet cells, and mononuclear cell infiltration with fibrosis of the mucosal layer. IL-4(-/-) mice had greater mortality than other groups because of penetrating ulcers; however, survivors developed milder lesions that were limited to focal acute ulceration. Colonic CD4+ T cells from normal, IFN-γ(-/-), or IL-12(-/-) mice produced both IL-4 and IL-5. Conclusions: In TNBS colitis, Th1-like cytokine responses induce fatal, acute, transmural, and focal types of lesions, whereas Th2-like cytokine responses play a significant role in the diffuse atrophic changes in crypts and the mucosal layer that occur in the late stages of this disease.