The role of cytokine and immune responses in intestinal fibrosis.

: Rapidly increasing incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in South America, Eastern Europe, Asia, and Africa has resulted in a global public health challenge. Intestinal fibrosis is a common complication in long-term IBD patients, which may develop into stenosis and subsequent obstruction. Hitherto, the origin of IBD is unclear and several factors may be involved, including genetic, immune, environmental and microbial influences. Little is known about how the recurrent inflammation in IBD patients develops into intestinal fibrosis and currently, there is no suitable treatment to reverse intestinal fibrosis in IBD patients. Here, we reviewed the role of immune components in the pathogenesis of IBD and intestinal fibrosis, including cytokine networks, host-microbiome interactions, and immune cell trafficking. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.