Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2024 Jul;79(1):148-153. doi: 10.1002/jpn3.12258.Epub 2024 May 23.

Bernadette White ¹, Jessica Curle ¹, Lisa Gervais ², David Wands ², Ben Nichols ¹, Richard Hansen ³, Richard K Russell ⁴, Konstantinos Gerasimidis ¹, Simon Milling ⁵

Author information

¹Department of Human Nutrition, College of Medical, Veterinary, and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK.

²Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, UK.

³Division of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.

⁴Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Royal Hospital for Children & Young People, Edinburgh, UK.

⁵School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary, and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.

Abstract

The immunological effects of exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) in the treatment of active Crohn's disease (CD) are yet to be unveiled. The present study investigated changes in peripheral blood mononuclear cell profiles in children with active CD following 8-week treatment with EEN. In nine children, EEN significantly decreased the number and frequency of circulating effector memory CD8⁺ T cells re-expressing CD45RA, with corresponding increases observed in the frequency of circulating central and effector memory CD8⁺ T cells. These signals were conserved when looking at a subgroup of patients who achieved remission, and another who demonstrated the highest level of compliance to EEN. We speculate that the increases in circulating central and effector memory CD8⁺ T cells may be related to the extensive microbiome-modifying effects of EEN dampening immune response within the gastrointestinal tract.