Inflammatory bowel diseases: an immunological approach

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are inflammatory diseases with a multifactorial component that involve the intestinal tract. The two relevant IBD syndromes are Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). One factor involved in IBD development is a genetic predisposition, associated to N...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Revista medíca de Chile 2008-03, Vol.136 (3), p.367-375
Main Authors: Sepúlveda, Sofía E, Beltrán, Caroll J, Peralta, Alexis, Rivas, Paola, Rojas, Néstor, Figueroa, Carolina, Quera, Rodrigo, Hermoso, Marcela A
Format: Article
Language:Spanish
Subjects:
Colitis, Ulcerative - genetics
Colitis, Ulcerative - immunology
Crohn Disease - genetics
Crohn Disease - immunology
Diagnosis, Differential
GATA3 Transcription Factor - immunology
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
Humans
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases - genetics
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases - immunology
Interleukins - genetics
Interleukins - immunology
Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein - genetics
Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein - immunology
Polymorphism, Genetic
Toll-Like Receptor 4 - genetics
Toll-Like Receptor 4 - immunology
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Summary:Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are inflammatory diseases with a multifactorial component that involve the intestinal tract. The two relevant IBD syndromes are Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). One factor involved in IBD development is a genetic predisposition, associated to NOD2/CARD15 and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) polymorphisms that might favor infectious enterocolitis that is possibly associated to the development of IBD. The identification of specific immunologic alterations in IBD and their relationship to the etiology of the disease is a relevant research topic. The role of intra and extracellular molecules, such as transcription factors and cytokines that are involved in the inflammatory response, needs to be understood. The relevance of immunologic molecules that might drive the immune response to a T helper (Th) 1, Th 2 or the recently described Th 17 phenotype, has been demonstrated in animal models and clinical studies with IBD patients. CD and UC predominantly behave with a Th 1 and Th 2 immune phenotype, respectively. Recently, an association between CD and Th 17 has been reported. The knowledge acquired from immunologic and molecular research will help to develop accurate diagnostic methods and efficient therapies.
ISSN:0034-9887