The effect of restraint stress on experimental colitis is IFN-gamma independent.

Stress, a protective reaction to external threats, may be deleterious if linked to an inflammatory stimulus. Stress may influence intestinal immunity, thereby contributing to the development of colitis. Less severe histological abnormalities and clinical scores were detected in dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in IFN-gamma(-/-), compared to Wt, mice. Disease severity was increased by restraint stress in DSS-treated IFN-gamma(-/-) and Wt mice, accompanied by suppressed colonic pro and anti inflammatory cytokine responses. Our data suggest that IFN-gamma is important in the development of acute colitis. Stress increases the severity of colitis, but is independent of the IFN-gamma pathway.