Splenic function and IgM-memory B cells in Crohn's disease patients treated with infliximab

Di Sabatino, Antonio, Rosado, M Manuela, Cazzola, Paolo, Biancheri, Paolo, Tinozzi, Francesco Paolo, Laera, Maria Rita, Cantoro, Laura, Vanoli, Alessandro, Carsetti, Rita and Corazza, Gino Roberto (2008) Splenic function and IgM-memory B cells in Crohn's disease patients treated with infliximab. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, 14 (5). pp. 591-596. ISSN 1078-0998

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Under experimental chronic inflammation, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha plays a role in damaging spleen marginal zone. This latter has a crucial function in mounting B cell-dependent immune responses against infections by encapsulated bacteria. In Crohn's disease (CD), a chronic inflammatory disorder where TNF-alpha is centrally involved, impaired splenic function may increase the susceptibility to bacterial infections. On this basis, we aimed to investigate the influence of anti-TNF therapy on splenic function in CD patients. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 15 CD patients before and after treatment with infliximab administered at weeks 0, 2, and 6 at a dose of 5 mg/kg. Counting of erythrocytes with membrane abnormalities (pitted red cells) was used as an indicator of splenic function. Multicolor flow cytometry was performed to analyze circulating B cells. RESULTS: A substantial clinical improvement in 10 of the 15 CD patients was associated with a significant reduction of pitted red cells (from median 6.0% to 3.6%; P < 0.01) after 10 weeks of treatment. In responder patients the improvement of splenic function was accompanied by a parallel increase of circulating IgM-memory B cells (from median 6.9% to 13.3%; P < 0.005). Splenic function was not ameliorated in nonresponder patients. CONCLUSIONS: Splenic function improved in CD patients who responded to infliximab and was accompanied by a concomitant restoration of the IgM-memory B cell pool responsible for the protection against encapsulated bacteria. Restoration of splenic function after infliximab treatment is intriguing and requires further investigation.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: adult,administration & dosage,administration & dosage,immunology,blood,dose-response relationship, drug,female,flow cytometry,follow-up studies,humans,immunology,infliximab,male,microscopy, interference,middle aged,physiology,treatment outcome,antagonists & inhibitors
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Gastroenterology and Gut Biology
Depositing User: LivePure Connector
Date Deposited: 07 Aug 2018 15:30
Last Modified: 22 Oct 2022 04:03
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/67970
DOI: 10.1002/ibd.20374

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