Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Investigating Intestinal Inflammation in DSS-induced Model of IBD
08:43

Investigating Intestinal Inflammation in DSS-induced Model of IBD

Published on: February 1, 2012

Blood-based biomarkers can differentiate ulcerative colitis from Crohn's disease and noninflammatory diarrhea

Robert Burakoff1, Samuel Chao, Molly Perencevich

  • 1Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. rburakoff@partners.org

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
|July 12, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Blood gene expression profiling can distinguish Crohn's disease (CD) from ulcerative colitis (UC). This diagnostic approach aids in differentiating these inflammatory bowel diseases from noninflammatory diarrhea, improving patient management.

Area of Science:

  • Genomics and Molecular Diagnostics
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research

Background:

  • Blood gene expression profiling is a valuable tool for disease identification.
  • Distinguishing Crohn's disease (CD) from ulcerative colitis (UC) and noninflammatory diarrhea is clinically significant.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a blood-based gene expression test to differentiate CD from UC and noninflammatory diarrhea.
  • To identify specific gene expression signatures for CD and UC.

Main Methods:

  • Whole blood gene expression profiles were generated using Affymetrix U133Plus 2.0 GeneChip arrays.
  • A cohort of 21 UC patients, 24 CD patients, and 10 controls with noninflammatory diarrhea was analyzed.
  • Supervised learning (logistic regression) was employed to identify discriminating gene panels.

Main Results:

  • A four-gene panel (CD300A, KPNA4, IL1R2, ELAVL1) identified UC.
  • A four-gene panel (CAP1, BID, NIT2, NPL) identified CD.
  • These gene panels effectively differentiated between CD and UC patients.

Conclusions:

  • Blood gene expression profiling can accurately differentiate patients with CD from those with UC.
  • This method also distinguishes inflammatory bowel disease patients from those with noninflammatory diarrheal disorders.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Systematic Scoring Analysis for Intestinal Inflammation in a Murine Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis Model09:11

Systematic Scoring Analysis for Intestinal Inflammation in a Murine Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis Model

Published on: February 14, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations01:20

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses two major chronic disorders—ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease—each characterized by relapsing episodes of gastrointestinal inflammation. Although they share certain clinical features, their patterns of involvement and manifestations differ in ways that aid diagnosis and guide management.Ulcerative ColitisUlcerative colitis is limited to the colon and rectum and involves continuous inflammation of the mucosal layer. The disease course is marked...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy01:30

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy

Various diagnostic tests are employed in the diagnostic process for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), particularly to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
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 I: Ulcerative Colitis01:27

Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis

Introduction
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 I: Introduction01:26

Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction

Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic disorders marked by recurrent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract due to an abnormal immune response against gut microflora. This leads to tissue damage. The two main forms are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.Crohn’s DiseaseCrohn’s disease is a relapsing inflammatory disorder that can affect any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. It involves all layers of the bowel wall (transmural) and shows “skip lesions” in which...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis01:20

Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon characterized by continuous mucosal inflammation that typically begins in the rectum and extends proximally in a uniform pattern. Its pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, and environmental influences. These factors converge to impair the colon’s epithelial defenses and promote an exaggerated inflammatory response against luminal contents.Breakdown of the Mucosal BarrierA...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease01:30

Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease

Introduction
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...