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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
08:37
Induction of Murine Intestinal Inflammation by Adoptive Transfer of Effector CD4+CD45RBhigh T Cells into Immunodeficient Mice
Published on: April 21, 2015
Refractory lymphocytic enterocolitis and tumor necrosis factor antagonist therapy
Ghazaleh Aram1, Theodore M Bayless, Zong-Ming Chen
1Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Summary
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha antagonists show promise for treating severe lymphocytic enterocolitis. These treatments improved diarrheal symptoms and histologic abnormalities in two refractory patients.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Lymphocytic enterocolitis is a malabsorptive condition marked by gastrointestinal inflammation and villous abnormalities.
- Standard medical therapies are often ineffective for severe cases.
Observation:
- Two patients with refractory lymphocytic enterocolitis were treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists.
- Both patients experienced significant clinical improvement in diarrheal symptoms.
Findings:
- Treatment with TNF antagonists led to a reduction in intestinal histologic abnormalities.
- This suggests a role for TNF-alpha in the pathogenesis of lymphocytic enterocolitis.
Implications:
- TNF antagonists like infliximab or adalimumab represent a potential new therapeutic option.
- This approach may benefit patients with severe, corticosteroid-refractory lymphocytic enterocolitis.
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