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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 28, 2020; 26(48): 7593-7602
Published online Dec 28, 2020. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i48.7593
Research advances of vasoactive intestinal peptide in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis by regulating interleukin-10 expression in regulatory B cells
Xiong Sun, Yao Huang, Ya-Li Zhang, Dan Qiao, Yan-Cheng Dai
Xiong Sun, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai PuTuo District People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200060, China
Yao Huang, Department of Digestive Diseases, Jing'an District Central Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
Ya-Li Zhang, Institute of Digestive Diseases, LongHua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
Dan Qiao, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200082, China
Yan-Cheng Dai, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200082, China. daiyancheng2005@126.com
Author contributions: Sun X and Dai YC designed the research; Huang Y and Qiao D analyzed the data; Sun X, Huang Y, and Dai YC wrote the paper; Sun X and Zhang YL made critical revisions related to important content of the revised manuscript; Sun X, Huang Y, Zhang YL, Qiao D, and Dai YC provided the final approval of the version to be published.
Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81873253; Key Clinical Specialty Construction Project Supported by Hongkou District Health Committee, No. HKZK2020A01; Sixth Round of Academic Experience Successors Training Project for Veteran Practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the document of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2017 No. 29.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Corresponding author: Yan-Cheng Dai, PhD, Chief Doctor, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 230 Baoding Road, Shanghai 200082, China. daiyancheng2005@126.com
Received: September 29, 2020
Peer-review started: September 29, 2020
First decision: November 8, 2020
Revised: November 14, 2020
Accepted: November 29, 2020
Article in press: November 29, 2020
Published online: December 28, 2020
Abstract

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic relapsed intestinal disease with an increasing incidence around the world. The pathophysiology of UC remains unclear. However, the role of the interaction between the enteric nervous system and the immune system in the pathogenesis of UC has been the focus of attention and has become a research hotspot. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a kind of endogenous neuropeptide with regulatory activity on intestinal immunity. It has been shown to regulate immune disorders in animal and human experiments and has become an effective anti-inflammatory and immune modulator that affects the innate immune system and adaptive immune system. Regulatory B cells (Bregs) are a new group of B cells that negatively regulate the immunity and have received extensive attention in immune circles. Bregs can regulate immune tolerance by producing interleukin (IL)-10, IL-35, and transforming growth factor-β, suppressing autoimmune diseases or excessive inflammatory responses. The secretion of IL-10 by Bregs induces the development of T helper (Th) 0 and Th2 cells. It also induces Th2 cytokines and inhibits Th1 cytokines, thereby inhibiting Th1 cells and the Th1/Th2 balance. With further clarity on the mechanism of the regulation of IL-10 expression by VIP in Bregs in colitis patients, we believe that Bregs can provide a novel strategy for the clinical treatment of UC. Thus, we aim to review the current literature on this evolving topic.

Keywords: Vasoactive intestinal peptide, Ulcerative colitis, Interleukin-10, Bregs, Pathogenesis

Core Tip: The pathophysiology of ulcerative colitis remains unclear. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a neuropeptide that has strong regulatory activity on intestinal immunity. With further clarity on the mechanism of the regulation of interleukin-10 expression by VIP in regulatory B cells in colitis patients, we believe that VIP can provide a novel strategy for the clinical treatment of ulcerative colitis.