Heterodimerization of LIF-R or the OSM-specific receptor (OSM-R) with gp130 activates OSM, which is considered as an ‘inflammatory amplifier’ and drives intestinal inflammation in IBD (mainly by activation of JAK-STAT and PI3K-Akt pathways), leading to increased production of cytokines, chemokines and adhesion molecules20,21. Here, OSM is linked to inflammatory bowel disease.