Effect of the anti-tumor necrosis factor-α antibody infliximab on the ex vivo mucosal matrix metalloproteinase–proteolytic phenotype in inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

The high expression of MMPs in patients with IBD suggests a role for these proteinases in the pathogenesis of this disease. Infliximab seems to induce a genotype-associated matrix protective phenotype, which may contribute to the observed therapeutic efficacy of this drug in IBD, particularly at the mucosal surface.