Abstract

INTEGRINS AND THEIR ROLE IN INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE: MECHANISMS AND THERAPEUTIC IMPLICATIONS

Soumya Mudhol* , Vindyashree L and Dr. Syed Mansoor Ahmed

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease results from an atypical immune reaction in the intestinal mucosa, leading to an enhanced release of mediators that promote inflammation like eicosanoids, platelet-activating factors, cytokines, and reactive oxygen/nitrogen metabolites. The multifactorial-driven disease, which consists of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is primarily characterized by a discrepancy between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators. The treatment strategy for IBD includes monoclonal antibodies targeting interleukins, TNF-α, as well as Integrin-CAM interactions. Integrins, which are heterodimers with α and β subunits, play a significant role in leukocyte trafficking to the intestinal wall during the pathogenesis of IBD. So targeted anti-integrin therapy offers a promising option in the treatment of IBD. In this review, we have detailed integrins, their activation, ‘their role in the pathophysiology of IBD, and various anti-integrin medications.

Keywords: IBD, Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s Disease, Integrins, Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), Leukocyte trafficking.