Objective: Little is understood regarding how disease progression alters immune and sensory nerve function in colitis. We investigated how acute colitis chronically alters immune recruitment and the impact this has on re-activated colitis. To understand the impact of disease progress on sensory systems we investigated the mechanisms underlying altered colonic neuro-immune interactions after acute colitis. Design: Inflammation was compared in mouse models of health, acute tri-nitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) colitis, Remission and Reactivated colitis. Cytokine concentrations were compared by ELISA in situ and in explanted colon tissue. Colonic infiltration by CD11b/F4-80 macrophage, CD4 T-HELPER and CD8 T-CYTOTOXIC (T-c) and alpha(4)beta(7) expression on mesenteric lymph node (MLN) T-H and T-c was determined by flow cytometry. Cytokine and effector receptor mRNA expression was determined on colo-rectal afferent neurons and the mechanisms underlying cytokinergic effects on high-threshold colo-rectal afferent function were investigated using electrophysiology. Results: Colonic damage, MPO activity, macrophage infiltration, IL-1 beta and IL-6 concentrations were lower in Reactivated compared to Acute colitis. TH infiltration and alpha(4)beta(7) expression on TH MLN was increased in Remission but not Acute colitis. IFN-gamma concentrations, TH infiltration and alpha(4)beta(7) expression on TH and Tc MLN increased in Reactivated compared to Acute colitis. Reactivated explants secreted more IL-1 beta and IL-6 than Acute explants. IL-6 and TNF-alpha inhibited colo-rectal afferent mechanosensitivity in Remission mice via a BKca dependent mechanism. Conclusions: Acute colitis persistently alters immune responses and afferent nerve signalling pathways to successive episodes of colitis. These findings highlight the complexity of viscero-sensory neuro-immune interactions in painful remitting and relapsing diseases. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.