Contribution of CD3+CD8- and CD3+CD8+ T Cells to TNF-<i>α</i> Overexpression in Crohn Disease–Associated Perianal Fistulas and Induction of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in HT-29 Cells

Abstract

Our data indicate that both CD3+CD8- and CD3+CD8+ T cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of perianal CD fistulas by the secretion of TNF-α. Our data support clinical evidence indicating that anti-TNF-α therapy is effective in fistula treatment and identify IL-13 and IL-22 as possible novel therapeutic targets for fistula therapy.