Innate lymphoid cells in inflammatory bowel disease

Chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) dramatically increases the risk of colon cancer. It is likely that the chronic inflammation in IBD is a direct cause of colon cancer. I, together with several other research groups, have recently discovered a new family of cells in the immune system. These are called 'innate lymphoid cells' (ILCs) and are found in both mice and humans. In mice, these cells have a very important role in intestinal inflammation and tumor development, but the specific link between ILCs in IBD and colon cancer in humans has not yet been investigated. The aim of my project is to investigate the role of ILCs in IBD and colon cancer and find new therapeutic targets, associated with ILCs, that can be utilized for prevention and treatment of these diseases. My hypothesis is that these cells are directly involved in the development of IBD and thus colon cancer and also have an active role in regulating cancer growth. Through access to unique intestinal tissue samples and advanced molecular biology techniques, I can directly study ILCs located in the inflamed or malignant tissue. I can determine in detail their function and thus determine the role these cells may play in IBD and colon cancer. My research will increase the understanding of this group of cells in general, and their role in IBD and colon cancer in particular. IBD can be seen as a precursor to cancer. Thus, knowledge of IBD is extremely important to prevent the development of colon cancer.