Resolution of mucosal inflammation

Inflammation of the mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal tract is not only common, it is often described as ‘normal’. This is particularly the case in the intestine, where a single layer of epithelial cells separates the vascular and immune systems from billions of microbes. Of course, uncontrolled inflammation is also associated with a number of gastrointestinal disorders, some of which are quite common. Many of the current therapies for disease such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are aimed at bringing the inflammatory response under control, by inhibiting production or action of pro-inflammatory mediators, so that repair of tissue injury can proceed. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the notion that better understanding the endogenous mechanisms for resolution of inflammation will provide important clues for the design of more effective therapies for inflammatory diseases.