Controlling in and out - the future of interfering with immune cell trafficking in inflammatory bowel disease.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Immune cell trafficking is a key requirement in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases. Consistently, therapeutic strategies to target immune cell trafficking have been established and continue to be developed for the treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. AREAS COVERED In this review, we briefly summarize the most important checkpoints of intestinal immune cell trafficking and their importance during IBD. Moreover, we provide an overview of associated therapeutic targets and previous as well as current efforts on treatment strategies related to these targets. EXPERT OPINION Finally, we comment on potential future developments that might shape the field of immune cell trafficking in the context of IBD.