Mechanisms of action of infliximab in inflammatory bowel disease: an anti-inflammatory multitasker.
The pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) plays a central role in mucosal inflammation and is a key mediator in the inflammatory cascade in both Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Infliximab, a monoclonal antibody against TNF-alpha has been proved highly effective in the clinical management of both forms of IBD. Aim of this paper is to review the mechanisms of action of infliximab in IBD.
Danese
S
S
Division of Gastroenterology, Istituto Clinico Humanitas, IRCCS in Gastroenterology, Rozzano, Milan, Italy. sdanese@hotmail.com
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D000069285:Infliximab; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab