Intestinal macrophages and immune cells

Intestinal macrophages and immune cells represent a heterogeneous population of leukocytes residing in the gastrointestinal tract, primarily within the lamina propria and gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). These cells play a critical role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis by balancing tolerance to commensal microbiota and food antigens with robust defense against enteric pathogens (PMID: 28130411). In diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, these cells undergo pathological activation, secreting pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-23 (PMID: 30116015). While these cells are the focus of numerous therapeutic interventions, they do not constitute a single molecular target; rather, they express various receptors and enzymes that are the actual pharmacological targets (PMID: 25319065). Consequently, drugs like infliximab or vedolizumab modulate the activity or recruitment of these cells to alleviate chronic inflammation. Therapeutic strategies often aim to inhibit the recruitment of these cells to the gut or to suppress their inflammatory output to restore mucosal integrity.

Other names

Gut-associated lymphoid tissue cellsLamina propria mononuclear cellsIntestinal myeloid cellsGastrointestinal immune system

Inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine signaling and blockade of leukocyte trafficking to the intestinal mucosa.