Activation of lamina propria T lymphocytes in Crohn's disease.

Crohn's disease is characterized by chronic inflammatory infiltrates and granuloma formation in the gut. T cell directed immunotherapy appears to be effective in relieving these symptoms. Under normal conditions, lamina propria T lymphocytes have a low proliferative response to antigen receptor stimulation in vitro due to the influence of the local intestinal environment. This study shows that lamina propria T lymphocytes exhibit an enhanced response to antigen receptor stimulation in active Crohn's disease, which may contribute in its pathogenesis.