IL-27Ra Promotes the Progression of Neonatal Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a life-threatening gastrointestinal disorder in premature infants, characterized by immune dysregulation and compromised intestinal barrier integrity. While interleukin-27 receptor a (IL-27Ra) demonstrates dual pro- and anti-inflammatory functions across various inflammatory conditions, its specific role in NEC pathogenesis remains poorly understood. This study aims to elucidate the functional involvement of IL-27Ra in NEC progression and evaluate its potential as a therapeutic target. Through RNA sequencing analysis of 7 clinical NEC specimens and 7 matched controls, we investigated the correlation between IL-27Ra expression and key inflammatory mediators (including IL-1ß) as well as intestinal barrier integrity markers (such as TJP1).