Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026

Induction of Murine Intestinal Inflammation by Adoptive Transfer of Effector CD4+CD45RBhigh T Cells into Immunodeficient Mice
Published on: April 21, 2015
Tumor necrosis factor alpha-producing cells in the intestinal mucosa of children with inflammatory bowel disease
E J Breese1, C A Michie, S W Nicholls
1Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, St. Bartholomews Hospital, London, England.
Background/Aims:
Cytokines are thought to be important in mediating tissue damage in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Many of the in vivo activities of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) match the changes found in IBD, but its importance is controversial.
Methods:
A sensitive, reverse hemolytic plaque assay was used to determine the frequency of TNF-alpha secreting cells isolated from mucosal biopsy specimens of children with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis (UC) and non-IBD controls before and after medical treatment.
Results:
Frequency of TNF-alpha secreting cells was significantly increased in biopsy specimens from children with mild, nonspecific inflammation compared with those with histologically normal intestine. Frequency did not increase in UC compared with children with nonspecific inflammation but was significantly greater in Crohn's disease than in UC. After treatment, the frequency of TNF-alpha secreting cells was reduced in patients receiving cyclosporin A, not reduced in patients with steroids or enteral nutrition, and not changed with treatment in UC.
Conclusions:
TNF-alpha secreting cells are increased in the mucosa of inflamed intestine, regardless of pathogenesis. In patients with IBD, higher levels are seen in Crohn's disease than in UC, probably reflecting the extensive T-cell activation in Crohn's disease. No relation existed between histological healing and the frequency of TNF-alpha-secreting cells.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Renewal of Intestinal Stem Cells
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease

