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Copyright ©2008 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 14, 2008; 14(2): 200-202
Published online Jan 14, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.200
Role of the JNK signal transduction pathway in inflammatory bowel disease
Praveen K Roy, Farzana Rashid, Jack Bragg, Jamal A Ibdah
Praveen K Roy, Farzana Rashid, Jack Bragg, Jamal A Ibdah, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri, United States
Correspondence to: Praveen K Roy, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, DC 043.00, Room 580, One Hospital Drive. Columbia, MO 65212, United States. roypk@health.missouri.edu
Telephone: +1-573-8827758
Fax: +1-573-8844595
Received: July 25, 2007
Revised: September 28, 2007
Published online: January 14, 2008
Abstract

The c-Jun NH2-terminal Kinase (JNK) pathway represents one sub-group of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases which plays an important role in various inflammatory diseases states, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Significant progress towards understanding the function of the JNK signaling pathway has been achieved during the past few years. Blockade of the JNK pathway with JNK inhibitors in animal models of IBD lead to resolution of intestinal inflammation. Current data suggest specific JNK inhibitors hold promise as novel therapies in IBD.

Keywords: JNK pathway, Inflammatory bowel disease, Inflammation