Colorectal cancer-derived intestinal epithelial cells express the functional receptor complex for IL-17F mediating MAP kinase activation and wound healing

Background & aims: Interleukin (IL)-17F is a novel proinflammatory cytokine which is a member of the IL-17 cytokine family. IL-17F mediates signal transduction via the heterodimeric IL-17RA/IL-17RC receptor complex. IL-17F is closely related to IL-17A. Both cytokines are secreted by Th17 cells which play a major role in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD) and other autoimmune diseases. Previous studies demonstrated that IL-17RA, the specific receptor for IL-17A, is expressed in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). We therefore analyzed expression, signal transduction and potential biological functions of IL-…