Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
12:17
Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity
Published on: August 12, 2018
Apoptosis as a therapeutic tool in IBD?
Andreas Lügering1, Pia Lebiedz, Stefan Koch
1Department of Medicine B, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Strasse 33, D-48129 Münster, Germany.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|October 24, 2006
Summary
Defective apoptosis contributes to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Inducing apoptosis in immune cells, particularly with anti-TNF-alpha agents, shows therapeutic potential and clinical efficacy in IBD treatment.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Defective apoptosis in mucosal cells is implicated in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathogenesis.
- Therapeutic strategies for IBD may involve inducing apoptosis in specific immune effector cells.
- The clinical relevance of apoptosis induction by IBD drugs remains under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of apoptosis induction as a therapeutic mechanism in IBD.
- To investigate the association between apoptosis induction by anti-TNF-alpha agents and their clinical efficacy.
- To identify potential therapeutic strategies targeting apoptotic pathways in IBD.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on apoptosis induction by IBD treatments.
- Analysis of in vitro and in vivo studies on anti-TNF-alpha agents (infliximab, adalimumab).
- Examination of reverse signaling via transmembrane TNF leading to programmed cell death.
Main Results:
- Anti-TNF-alpha agents can induce apoptosis in activated monocytes and lymphocytes.
- This apoptosis induction is mediated by reverse signaling through transmembrane TNF.
- Apoptosis induction is suggested to be a relevant mechanism associated with the clinical efficacy of anti-TNF-alpha therapy.
Conclusions:
- Apoptosis induction in activated monocytes and T cells is a promising therapeutic approach for IBD.
- Anti-TNF-alpha agents demonstrate clinical benefit partly through inducing apoptosis.
- Future research should focus on preventing mucosal apoptosis in IBD and targeting apoptotic pathways therapeutically.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel Disease...
01:29Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management
Upon diagnosis, managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) involves addressing several crucial aspects. The primary goals include resting the bowel, correcting malnutrition, and providing symptomatic relief. Resting the bowel may consist of medications to reduce inflammation and promote healing. Correcting malnutrition is essential, often requiring dietary adjustments and nutritional supplements. Symptomatic relief aims to ease pain, diarrhea, and other discomforts in IBD.
Pharmacologic...
Pharmacologic...
01:30Apoptosis
Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size reduction of the tissue.
01:24Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), a proinflammatory cytokine, contributes significantly to the inflammation seen in Crohn's disease. It exists as soluble TNF and membrane-bound TNF, with actions mediated through TNF receptors (TNFR). TNFR activation leads to the release of proinflammatory cytokines, T-cell activation, collagen production, and leukocyte migration, all contributing to inflammation in Crohn's disease. Anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies, namely infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira),...
01:31The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
01:21Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids
Glucocorticoids, a class of anti-inflammatory drugs, are pivotal in treating moderate to severe Crohn's disease by inducing remission. They exhibit their anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1, and chemokines like IL-8. In addition, they reduce the expression of inflammatory cell adhesion molecules and inhibit gene transcription of nitric oxide synthase, phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2),...