Immunomodulation of enteric neural function in irritable bowel syndrome

Figure 1 Illustrates a possible mechanism underlying symptom flares in irritable bowel syndrome. Breach of the mucosal barrier as a result of activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and/or immune activation can stimulate an antigen-induced immune response. The primed gut has increased numbers of immune cells present which release cytokines that are associated with exacerbation of IBS symptoms. IL: Interleukin; TNF: Tumor necrosis factor; IBS: Irritable bowel syndrome.