Allograft inflammatory factor-1 regulates trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid-induced colitis

The expression of allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1) in 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis, a model for T helper 1 (Th1) type disease, was investigated in BALB/c mice. The AIF-1 expression was significantly increased in the colitis lesion compared to that in the normal colon. We then prepared AIF-1 transgenic mice (Tgm) with the BALB/c background that express high levels of AIF-1 in lymphoid tissues and the colon. When AIF-1 Tgm were administrated TNBS, the TNBS-induced colitis was ameliorated compared with that in non-transgenic littermates. The amelioration of colitis was associated with the low expression of interleukin-1beta in the colon. The present findings suggest that AIF-1 regulates Th1-type inflammatory responses.