title: T-cell-directed therapies in inflammatory bowel diseases.
abstract: Gut inflammation occurring in patients with IBDs (inflammatory bowel diseases) is associated with exaggerated and poorly controlled T-cell-mediated immune responses, which are directed against normal components of the gut flora. T-cells accumulate in the inflamed gut of IBD patients as a result of multiple mechanisms, including enhanced recruitment of cells from the bloodstream, sustained cell cycling and diminished susceptibility of cells to undergo apoptosis. Activated T-cells produce huge amounts of cytokines, which contribute to amplify and sustain the ongoing mucosal inflammation. Strategies aimed at interfering with T-cell accumulation and/or function in the gut have been employed with clinical success in patients with IBDs. In the present article, we review the available results showing that T-cell-directed therapies are useful to dampen the tissue-damaging immune response in IBDs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University Tor Vergata of Rome, Rome, Italy. Gi.Monteleone@Med.uniroma2.it
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Monteleone
authors.forename: Flavio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Caprioli
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal / Q000187:drug effects; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents