Regulatory T cells in Crohn's disease following anti‐TNF‐α therapy

Abstract

Background and Aim Anti‐tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) therapy is an effective therapy for Crohn's disease (CD). We investigated FoxP3+ and CD127− regulatory T cells (Tregs) before and after administration of anti‐TNF‐α therapy in CD. Methods Eight patients with active CD who had received anti‐TNF‐α antibodies were enrolled. Treatment responses were followed by physical examination and Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) scoring before and 2 weeks after the initial administration of anti‐TNF‐α antibodies. Peripheral blood samples were collected before and 2 weeks after treatment. White blood cell count and serum levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP) and albumin were measured. FoxP3+ expression and CD127− Tregs were measured by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis of whole blood samples. Results Median values of CDAI decreased significantly after treatment. The proportion of FoxP3+ Tregs increased significantly after treatment. There was a significant negative correlation between ΔCD127− Tregs and Δlymphocyte. Conclusions Anti‐TNF‐α therapy would enhance Tregs, which may account for the mechanism underlying the positive effect of the anti‐TNF‐α treatment in CD patients.

Keywords

• anti‐TNF‐α therapy
• CD127−
• Crohn's disease
• FoxP3+
• Tregs