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Published on: September 22, 2019
[Chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases. Pathophysiology and therapy].
K Herrlinger1, B Wittig, E F Stange
1Zentrum für Innere Medizin I, Robert Bosch Krankenhaus, Stuttgart.
Chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases involve a disrupted gut barrier, yet current therapies target the adaptive immune system, causing side effects. Future research aims for causal therapies addressing the gut barrier
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Immunology
- Focuses on the complex interplay between the intestinal barrier, microbial environment, and immune responses in chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases.
Context:
- Chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases (e.g., Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) exhibit a significant gap between understanding their pathogenesis and current therapeutic strategies.
- Pathogenesis is increasingly linked to intestinal barrier dysfunction and host-microbe interactions, supported by evidence from genetics, microbiology, morphology, and innate immunology.
- Current evidence-based therapies primarily target effectors of the adaptive immune system, often involving aggressive biological treatments with potential adverse effects.
Purpose:
- To address the dichotomy between the established knowledge of intestinal disease pathogenesis and the limitations of current therapeutic approaches.
- To explore potential future developments that could lead to more causal and effective therapies for chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases.
- To bridge the inconsistencies in understanding and treating these complex conditions.
Summary:
- Evidence strongly implicates a disrupted intestinal barrier and luminal bacteria in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases.
- Despite this understanding, therapies predominantly focus on modulating the adaptive immune system, leading to aggressive treatments and side effects.
- This discrepancy highlights a need for innovative therapeutic strategies that target the root causes of intestinal inflammation.
Impact:
- Highlights the medical and scientific need for a more cohesive understanding and treatment paradigm for chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases.
- Suggests a shift towards therapies that address the intestinal barrier and microbial dysbiosis, potentially leading to safer and more effective treatments.
- Provides a foundation for future research and development of causal therapies for conditions like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
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