Complement activation in plasma before and after infliximab treatment in Crohn disease.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Crohn disease is characterized by up-regulated intestinal inflammation mainly caused by increased tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) levels. However, the complement system (C) may also have a role in maintaining inflammation.

METHODS:

Plasma from 26 patients with Crohn disease complicated by fistulizing ano-rectal disease was collected before and after three Infliximab infusions (5 mg kg(-1)).

RESULTS:

Before treatment, the C3-activation capacities (C3-AC) in plasma from patients with Crohn disease were comparable with values obtained from healthy controls. The classical C pathway-mediated C3-AC, mannan-binding lectin C4-AC, leucocyte count, C-reactive protein concentration and Crohn Disease Activity Index decreased significantly 8 weeks after the first infusion of Infliximab (P < 0.04, Wilcoxon test).

CONCLUSIONS:

Before treatment, all three C pathways were within the normal range in plasma from patients with Crohn disease; the decrease observed in the classical pathway-mediated C3-AC after treatment with Infliximab reflects a general down-regulation in immune activation.

• Authors: E Zimmermann-Nielsen, J Agnholt, O Thorlacius-Ussing, J F Dahlerup, G Baatrup
• Journal: Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology (Scand J Gastroenterol) Vol. 38 Issue 10 Pg. 1050-4 (Oct 2003) ISSN: 0036-5521 [Print] England
• PMID: 14621279 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Complement C3
• Complement C4
• Gastrointestinal Agents
• C-Reactive Protein
• Infliximab

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (therapeutic use)
• C-Reactive Protein (analysis)
• Complement Activation (immunology)
• Complement C3 (immunology)
• Complement C4 (immunology)
• Complement Pathway, Classical
• Crohn Disease (drug therapy, immunology)
• Down-Regulation
• Female
• Gastrointestinal Agents (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Infliximab
• Leukocyte Count
• Male
• Middle Aged