The adhesion pathway defined by Alpha4Beta7 integrin and the mucosal vascular addressin (MAdCAM) has been demonstrated to be intimately involved in the homing of gut-specific lymphocytes from the vasculature to the gastrointestinal tract and associated lymphoid tissue and as such is believed to be involved in mucosal-specific lymphocyte recruitment. In this report, using a previously-characterized nonhuman primate model of ulcerative colitis, we demonstrate that a blocking monoclonal antibody Alpha4Beta7 integrin, when administered to chronically colitic animals, ameliorates inflammatory activity and rapidly improves stool consistency. Furthermore, using morphometric analysis of biopsy specimens, antibody therapy reduces the mucosal density of Alpha4Beta7+ lymphocytes and Alpha4Beta7- neutrophils and macrophages. These results suggest that the Alpha4Beta7 integrin represents a novel, potentially organ-specific, therapeutic target for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.
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