Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treated with anti-tumor-necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) exhibited lower serologic responses one-month following the second dose of the COVID-19 BNT162b2 vaccine compared to those not treated with anti-TNFα (non-anti-TNFα) or to healthy controls (HCs). We comprehensively analyzed long-term humoral responses, including anti-spike (S) antibodies, serum inhibition, neutralization, cross-reactivity and circulating B cell six months post BNT162b2, in patients with IBD stratified by therapy compared to HCs. Subjects enrolled in a prospective, controlled, multi-center Israeli study received two BNT162b2 doses. Anti-S levels, functional activity, specific B cells, antigen cross-reactivity, anti-nucleocapsid levels, adverse events and IBD disease score were detected longitudinally. In total, 240 subjects, 151 with IBD (94 not treated with anti-TNFα and 57 treated with anti-TNFα) and 89 HCs participated. Six months after vaccination, patients with IBD treated with anti-TNFα had significantly impaired BNT162b2 responses, specifically, more seronegativity, decreased specific circulating B cells and cross-reactivity compared to patients untreated with anti-TNFα. Importantly, all seronegative subjects were patients with IBD; of those, >90% were treated with anti-TNFα. Finally, IBD activity was unaffected by BNT162b2. Altogether these data support the earlier booster dose administration in these patients.

Janus kinase [JAK] inhibitors are used for treating inflammatory bowel diseases [IBD]. We aimed to identify the molecular effects of JAK inhibition in human intestinal mucosa, considering IBD location and phenotype. Colonic and ileal explants from patients with ulcerative colitis [UC], Crohn’s disease [CD], and non-IBD controls [NC] were assessed for levels of phosphorylated signal transducers and activators of transcription [p-STAT] and expression of inflammatory genes in response to an ex vivo JAK inhibitor [tofacitinib]. Cytokine production by lamina propria lymphocytes in response to tofacitinib was assessed. Human intestinal organoids were used to investigate the effects of JAK inhibitors on inducible nitric oxide synthase [iNOS] expression. Explants were collected from 68 patients [UC = 20, CD = 20, NC = 28]. p-STAT1/3/5 inhibition rates varied, being higher in colonic compared to ileal explants. p-STAT1/3 inhibition rates negatively correlated with levels of C-reactive protein [CRP]. While significant alterations in 120 of 255 inflammatory genes were observed in colonic explants, only 30 were observed in ileal NC explants. In colonic explants from UC, significant alterations were observed in five genes, including NOS2. JAK inhibition significantly decreased Th1/Th2/Th17-related cytokine production from lamina propria lymphocytes. Various JAK inhibitors reduced the interferon-γ-induced increase in iNOS expression in organoids. A site-specific anti-inflammatory effect of JAK inhibition by tofacitinib was noted, whereby the colon was more robustly affected than the ileum. The ex vivo response to tofacitinib is individual. JAK inhibition may attenuate inflammation by decreasing iNOS expression. Ex vivo mucosal platforms may be a valuable resource for studying personalized drug effects in patients with IBD.

INTRODUCTION: The gut microbiome in Crohn's disease (CD) shows variability and conflicting associations with disease activity. We aimed to assess microbial and clinical trajectories in newly diagnosed CD (ndCD) over 1 year. METHODS: This prospective longitudinal inception cohort study followed treatment-naive patients with ndCD for 1 year. The primary outcome was sustained corticosteroid-free clinical remission (CSFR) after 1 year. Paired fecal samples were collected at diagnosis and 1 year later, analyzed using bacterial 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing. Microbial composition changes were compared between baseline and 1-year follow-up and between biologics-treated and conservatively managed patients. Fecal samples from healthy volunteers served as controls. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients participated; 64.4% achieved sustained CSFR after 1 year. During follow-up, 60.3% had moderate-to-severe disease activity and received biologics (95.5% anti-tumor necrosis factor), whereas 39.7% were managed conservatively. Significant microbial improvements, including increased Shannon diversity and decreased microbial dysbiosis index, were observed only in patients achieving sustained CSFR (both P < 0.001). Biologic-treated patients had more disrupted baseline microbiome composition than conservatively managed ones (Shannon, P = 0.04; microbial dysbiosis index, P = 0.03); they showed significant microbial improvement regardless of clinical success, shifting toward a healthier microbiome profile. Changes in clinical outcomes over 1 year correlated with microbial alterations. DISCUSSION: Over 1 year, treatment-naive patients with ndCD showed microbial improvements paralleling clinical outcomes, with shifts toward a healthier state. Biologic therapy enhanced microbial profiles, likely due to greater baseline disruption in these patients. These findings suggest that the microbiome is a marker of inflammation and a modifiable factor in CD management.

Background: Crohn’s disease (CD) incidence is rising in India. However, features of newly diagnosed patients with CD in this population are largely unknown. The Indo-Israeli IBD GastroEnterology paRtnership (TiiiGER) aimed to investigate differences in presentation among patients with newly diagnosed CD in India and Israel, and to explore phenotype–serotype correlations. Methods: A prospective observational cohort study of consecutive adults (>18 years) conducted in two large referral centers in India and Israel (2014–2018). Clinical data, an antiglycan serological panel, and 20 CD-associated genetic variants were analyzed. Outcomes: complicated phenotype at diagnosis and early complicated course (hospitalizations/surgeries) within 2 years of diagnosis. Results: We included 260 patients (104, Indian (65.4%, male; age, 37.8); 156 Israeli (49.4%, male; 31.8, age)). Median lag time from symptoms onset to diagnosis was 10.5 (IQR 3–38) vs. 3 (IQR 1–8) months in Indian vs. Israeli patients (p < 0.001). Complicated phenotype at diagnosis was observed in 48% of Indian and 30% of Israeli patients (p = 0.003). Complicated phenotype was associated with higher anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody (ASCA) seropositivity rate among Israeli patients (p < 0.001), but not among Indian patients. Antiglycan serology did not correlate with the tested genetic variants. Early complicated course occurred in 28 (18%) Israeli and 13 (12.5%) Indian patients. The time from diagnosis to complication was comparable (log rank p = 0.152). Antiglycan serology did not correlate with a complicated early course in either cohort. Conclusions: There are significant differences in patients presenting with newly diagnosed CD in India and Israel, including phenotype and distinct biomarkers at diagnosis. These differences suggest different genetic and environmental disease modifiers.

Introduction: Regulatory agencies supported vaccination of pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines, including patients with IBD. No data exist regarding these vaccines in IBD during pregnancy. Aim: To assess the serologic response to two doses of the mRNA SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 vaccine in pregnant women with IBD vaccinated during pregnancy, compared to that of pregnant women without IBD, and non-pregnant women with IBD. Methods: Anti-spike antibody levels were assessed in all women and in cord blood of consenting women. Results: From December 2020 to December 2021, 139 women were assessed: pregnant with IBD—36, pregnant without IBD—61, and not pregnant with IBD—42. Antibodies were assessed in cords of two and nine newborns of women with and without IBD, respectively. Mean gestational ages at administration of the second vaccine doses were 22.0 weeks in IBD and 23.2 weeks in non-IBD, respectively. Mean (SD) duration from the second vaccine dose to serology analysis in pregnant women with IBD, without IBD, and in non-pregnant women with IBD was 10.6 (4.9), 16.4 (6.3), and 4.3 (1.0) weeks, respectively. All women mounted a serologic response. In multivariable analysis, no correlation was found between the specific group and antibody levels. In both pregnancy groups, an inverse correlation between antibody levels and the interval from the second vaccine dose was demonstrated. Cord blood antibody levels exceeded maternal levels in women with and without IBD. Conclusion: All patients with IBD mounted a serologic response. The interval between vaccine administration to serology assessment was the most important factor determining antibody levels. A third vaccine dose should be considered in pregnant women with IBD vaccinated at early stages of pregnancy.

Background & aims: Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors modulating JAK-STAT (signal transducers and activators of transcription) signaling pathway, are used for the treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). We aimed to identify the molecular effects of JAK inhibition in the human intestinal mucosa, considering the IBD location and phenotype. Methods: Colonic and ileal explants from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn’s disease (CD), or non-IBD controls (NC) were treated ex-vivo with the JAK inhibitor, tofacitinib. Phosphorylated STAT (p-STAT) levels were assessed by Western blot and Immunofluorescence. Inflammatory genes expression was assessed with Nanostring nCounter system. Human intestinal organoids were used to assess JAK inhibitors’ effects on p-STATs and iNOS expression. Results: Explants were collected from 68 patients (NC=28; UC=20; CD=20). JAK inhibition reduced p-STAT1/3/5 expression in all explants. While p-STAT inhibition rates varied among patients (10%-88%), higher inhibition rates were observed in colonic compared to ileal explants. Significant alterations in 120 of 255 inflammatory genes were observed in colonic explants, while only 30 were observed in ileal NC explants. In colonic explants from UC, significant alterations were observed in 5 genes, including STAT1 and NOS2 . Various JAK inhibitors reduced IFN-γ-induced increase in p-STAT1 and iNOS expression in organoids. Conclusions: A site-specific anti-inflammatory effect of JAK inhibition by tofacitinib was noticed, whereby the colon was more robustly affected than the ileum. Ex-vivo response to tofacitinib is individual. JAK inhibition may attenuate inflammation by decreasing iNOS expression. Ex-vivo mucosal platforms may be a valuable resource for studying drug impact and evaluating personalized treatment effects.