Selective Targeting of Tumour Necrosis Factor Receptor 1 Induces Stable Protection from Crohn’s-Like Ileitis in TNFΔARE Mice

Abstract

Background and Aims Crohn’s disease is a debilitating chronic inflammatory disorder of the mammalian gastrointestinal tract. Current interventions using anti-TNF biologics show long term benefit in only half of patients. This study focused on the role of the TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) in pathogenesis in a TNF-driven model of ileitis. Methods We studied TNF ΔAU-rich element (ARE)/+ (TNFdARE) mice, which develop progressive ileitis similar to Crohn’s ileitis. Histopathological analysis and gene expression profiling were used to characterize disease progression from 5 to 16 weeks. Mice with TNFR1 hemizygosity (TNFdARE/R1het) allowed us to assess gene dosage effects. Transcriptional profiling established inflection points in disease progression; inflammatory gene expression increased at 8 weeks with a plateau by 10 weeks, so these were selected as end points of treatment using the TNF biologic Infliximab and the TNFR1-specific XPro1595. Differences in recruitment of cells in the lamina propria were assessed using flow cytometry. Results TNFdARE/R1het mice displayed stable long term protection from disease, associated with decreased recruitment of CD11b hiF4/80lo monocytes and CD11b hiLy6Ghi neutrophils, suggesting an important role of TNFR1 signaling in pathogenesis, and indicating potential benefit from TNFR1-specific intervention. Treatment with Infliximab and XPro1595 both showed similar impact on disease in TNFdARE mice. Importantly, these beneficial effects were greatly surpassed by hemizygosity at the TNFR1 locus. Conclusions Treatment with either Infliximab or XPro1595 produced moderate protection from ileitis in TNFdARE mice. However, hemizygosity at the TNFR1 locus in TNFdARE mice showed far better protection, implicating TNFR1 signaling as a key mediator of TNF-driven disease.