title: Shining a light on intestinal traffic.
abstract: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is associated with enhanced leukocyte infiltration to the gut, which is directly linked to the clinical aspects of these disorders. Thus, leukocyte trafficking is a major target for IBD therapy. Past and emerging techniques to study leukocyte trafficking both in vitro and in vivo have expanded our knowledge of the leukocyte migration process and the role of inhibitors. Various strategies have been employed to target chemokine- and integrin-ligand interactions within the multistep adhesion cascade and the S1P/S1PR1 axis in leukocyte migration. Though there is an abundance of preclinical data demonstrating efficacy of leukocyte trafficking inhibitors, many have yet to be confirmed in clinical studies. Vigilance for toxicity and further research is required into this complex and emerging area of IBD therapy.
authors.affiliation: Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, National University of Ireland.
authors.forename: Carola T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nally
authors.forename: Fergus
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shanahan
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Melgar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000473:pathology*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000502:physiology