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Recent advances in IBD pathogenesis: Genetics and immunobiology

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Abstract

The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are chronic inflammatory disorders caused by dysregulated immune responses in genetically predisposed individuals. Although the precise etiology of IBD remains unclear, accumulating data, including genome-wide association studies, have advanced our understanding of its immunopathogenesis. This review highlights the role in gut homeostasis and IBD pathogenesis of autophagy, the interleukin (IL)-23/IL-17 axis, and a novel member of the tumor necrosis factor family, TL1A. It focuses on advances in our understanding of IBD from the past year, including advances in genetics and immunobiology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cedars-Sinai Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, 8700 Beverly Boulevard, Suite D4059, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA

    David Q. Shih

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  1. David Q. Shih
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  2. Stephan R. Targan
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  3. Dermot McGovern
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Correspondence to David Q. Shih.

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Shih, D.Q., Targan, S.R. & McGovern, D. Recent advances in IBD pathogenesis: Genetics and immunobiology. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 10, 568–575 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-008-0104-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-008-0104-x

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