Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder of the gut with symptoms such as diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain and bloating, that are frequently exacerbated by stress. Circulating levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-6 (IL-6), which can activate colonic enteric neurons, are elevated in IBS patients. These studies aim to explore the relationship between IL-6 and the stress peptide, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in colonic submucosal neurons.