Reduction of CD68+ Macrophages and Decreased IL-17 Expression in Intestinal Mucosa of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Strongly Correlate With Endoscopic Response and Mucosal Healing following Infliximab Therapy

Abstract

The 2 mechanisms associated with infliximab-induced resolution of intestinal inflammation are the reduction of lamina propria infiltrating CD68 macrophages and the downregulation of interleukin 17A. Moreover, the data suggest that infliximab-induced macrophage apoptosis may represent a key mechanism for the therapeutic success of anti-tumor necrosis factor antibodies.