Ischaemic/reperfusion injury: Role of infliximab.

Ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is an underlying complex interrelated patho-physiological process which effects the outcome of many clinical situations, in particular transplantation. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α is a pleiotropic inflammatory cytokine; a trimeric protein encoded within the major histocompatibility complex which plays a pivotal role in this disease process. This review is based at looking into an update, particularly the new insights in the mechanisms of action of TNF antagonist such as infliximab. Infliximab may thus play a dual role in the field of transplantation where it might not only down regulate the I/R injury, it may also have a beneficial role in the reduction of acute rejection.