Genetic aspects of inflammatory bowel disease: how far have we come, and where are we heading?
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 13, 2026

Interview: Glycolipid Antigen Presentation by CD1d and the Therapeutic Potential of NKT cell Activation
Published on: December 31, 2007
1Emma Getz Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research Center, Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology Section, The University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, G705, MC 6084, Chicago, IL 60637-1521, USA.
Abstract:
Crohn"s disease and ulcerative colitis are related complex genetic disorders, with gene-gene and gene-environment interactions that are critical to their pathogenesis. Multiple genetic loci have been implicated through genome-wide searches. Of these, a locus on Crohn"s disease has been definitively established in the pericentromeric region of chromosome 16. Multiple candidate gene studies have been forwarded, and functionally significant variants in immune-associated genes will provide additional insight. Characterization of the genetic variation responsible for causing inflammatory bowel disease will result in development of novel therapeutic approaches as well as in tailoring of specific therapies to individual patients based on their specific molecular pathogenesis.
Related Concept Videos
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management
Pharmacologic...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease

