Voclosporin shows protective effect and intestinal barrier enforcement in experimental colitis

Gabel M, Knauß A, Liu Y, Mohamed Abdou M, Kaufmann C, Loges L, Stürzl M, Schürmann S, Waldner M, Neurath M, Weigmann B (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Frontiers in Medicine Frontiers Media

Book Volume: 13

Article Number: 1750826

DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2026.1750826

Abstract

The treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is still challenging. Therefore, it is crucial not only to develop new drugs specifically targeting IBD but also to evaluate the application and efficacy of already established pharmaceuticals used for related disorders. A promising new candidate is Voclosporin (Voc), a recently approved drug for lupus nephritis. In this study, we aimed to further elucidate the efficiency and the molecular mechanism of action of Voclosporin in comparison with its analogon cyclosporine A (CsA). Using an experimental colitis model and human PBMCs, we performed a comprehensive analysis including mini-endoscopy, histopathology, multi-photon endomicroscopy (MPEM), immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry, and cytokine secretion profiling of murine lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs). Treatment with Voc or CsA improved colitis-associated weight loss and reduced intestinal inflammation as assessed by endoscopy and histopathological stainings. Treatment with Voclosporin led to a significant increase of the barrier-strengthening protein claudin 3 in the colon of mice with experimentally induced colitis. Furthermore, treatment of stimulated human-derived PBMCs from healthy controls with Voclosporin and CsA inhibited the activation of IL2-inducible tyrosine kinase ITK, a known trigger of inflammation in IBD. These results further support the potential of Voclosporin as a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of acute intestinal inflammation.

Authors with CRIS profile

Michael Gabel Department of Medicine 1 – Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology Annkathrin Knauß Department of Medicine 1 – Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology Yuqiuhe Liu Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle und Klinische Anatomie Laura Loges Department of Medicine 1 – Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology Sebastian Schürmann Lehrstuhl für Medizinische Biotechnologie (MBT) Maximilian Waldner Professur für Funktionelle Bildgebung in der Medizin Markus Neurath Lehrstuhl für Innere Medizin I (Medizin 1) Benno Weigmann Department of Medicine 1 – Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology

How to cite

APA:

Gabel, M., Knauß, A., Liu, Y., Mohamed Abdou, M., Kaufmann, C., Loges, L.,... Weigmann, B. (2026). Voclosporin shows protective effect and intestinal barrier enforcement in experimental colitis. Frontiers in Medicine, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2026.1750826

MLA:

Gabel, Michael, et al. "Voclosporin shows protective effect and intestinal barrier enforcement in experimental colitis." Frontiers in Medicine 13 (2026).

BibTeX: Download