Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Mechanistic Insight into the Development of TNBS-Mediated Intestinal Fibrosis and Evaluating the Inhibitory Effects of Rapamycin
10:21

Mechanistic Insight into the Development of TNBS-Mediated Intestinal Fibrosis and Evaluating the Inhibitory Effects of Rapamycin

Published on: September 12, 2019

Cellular infiltration and cytokine expression correlate with fistulizing state in Crohn's disease

Saleh A Naser1, Claudia Romero, Princess Urbina

  • 1Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA. nasers@mail.ucf.edu

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology : CVI
|July 15, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Crohn

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
  • Understanding immune cell infiltration and cytokine expression is crucial for CD pathogenesis.
  • Specific cellular and molecular differences in inflamed versus non-inflamed tissues are not fully elucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the infiltration of immune cell subpopulations in inflamed and non-inflamed tissues from CD and non-CD patients.
  • To analyze the expression of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in these tissues.
  • To correlate cellular and cytokine profiles with disease states in CD.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 21 resected intestinal tissue specimens (8 CD, 5 non-CD) using immunohistochemistry.
  • Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) for detailed cellular analysis.
  • Quantification of tissue dendritic macrophages, T-helper cells, cytotoxic T lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, and B cells.
  • Assessment of IL-12 and TNF-α expression patterns.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences in macrophage and T-helper cell subpopulations were observed between inflamed CD, non-inflamed CD, and non-CD tissues.
  • A surprising decrease in T-helper cells was noted in inflamed CD sections compared to other groups.
  • Cytokine overexpression (IL-12 and TNF-α) correlated with the fistulizing state of CD.
  • Upregulated cytokine expression in chronic CD patients indicates a link to inflammation and tissue damage.

Conclusions:

  • Immune cell differentiation and cytokine expression are key factors in Crohn's disease.
  • Specific cytokine profiles, particularly IL-12 and TNF-α, are associated with disease severity and complications like fistulization.
  • Further research into cell subpopulation dynamics may reveal direct relationships with distinct CD states (inflammatory, stricturing, fistulizing).

More Related Videos

A TNBS-Induced Rodent Model to Study the Pathogenic Role of Mechanical Stress in Crohn's Disease05:08

A TNBS-Induced Rodent Model to Study the Pathogenic Role of Mechanical Stress in Crohn's Disease

Published on: March 1, 2022

Chronic Salmonella Infection Induced Intestinal Fibrosis08:40

Chronic Salmonella Infection Induced Intestinal Fibrosis

Published on: September 22, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease01:25

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease

Crohn’s disease is a chronic, relapsing form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by segmental, transmural inflammation that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Its pathogenesis arises from a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. Together, these factors lead to an exaggerated immune response against components of the gut microbiome.Genetic and Environmental InfluencesMultiple genetic...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease01:30

Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease

Introduction
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 transmural...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF01:24

Drugs 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),...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis01:20

Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon characterized by continuous mucosal inflammation that typically begins in the rectum and extends proximally in a uniform pattern. Its pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, and environmental influences. These factors converge to impair the colon’s epithelial defenses and promote an exaggerated inflammatory response against luminal contents.Breakdown of the Mucosal BarrierA...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations01:20

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses two major chronic disorders—ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease—each characterized by relapsing episodes of gastrointestinal inflammation. Although they share certain clinical features, their patterns of involvement and manifestations differ in ways that aid diagnosis and guide management.Ulcerative ColitisUlcerative colitis is limited to the colon and rectum and involves continuous inflammation of the mucosal layer. The disease course is marked...
Chronic Inflammation: Introduction01:12

Chronic Inflammation: Introduction

Chronic inflammation is a prolonged, dysregulated immune response that persists for weeks to years when the inciting stimulus is difficult to eradicate or when self‑antigens drive ongoing reactivity. Morphologically, it is defined by mononuclear cell infiltration, progressive tissue destruction, and concurrent attempts at healing via angiogenesis and fibrosis. Compared with acute inflammation, edema is less prominent while cellular infiltration predominates; triggers include persistent...