Effects of Anti-Cytokine Antibodies on Gut Barrier Function

Figure 1

Summary of mechanisms of anti-cytokine antibodies on restoring gut barrier function. Anti-cytokine antibodies restore intestinal epithelial permeability by inhibiting epithelial cell apoptosis and maintaining expression and localisation of tight junction proteins. These therapeutic agents also reduce inflammatory responses by inhibiting bacterial translocation to lymph nodes, reducing leukocyte recruitment, as well as inhibiting colonic productions of proinflammatory cytokines. Majority of the anti-cytokine antibodies have beneficial effects on the gut barrier function; however, some of them such as anti-IL-17 antibody and IL-17 receptor antibody could cause exacerbation of colitis. TJ: tight junction; TNF: tumor necrosis factor; IL: interleukin; Ab: antibody; TGFβ: transforming growth factor beta.