The exposome in inflammatory bowel disease

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Gastroenterology
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is a chronic immune-mediated condition.
• Pathogenesis involves a deregulated immune response in genetically susceptible individuals exposed to gut microbiota.
• Genomics, epigenomics, and microbiome research explain limited IBD risk and treatment response prediction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review gaps in IBD understanding addressed by the exposome concept.
• To define the 'IBD exposome' and its parameters.
• To highlight applications in research and clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on the exposome concept in IBD.
• Analysis of environmental factors influencing IBD risk and relapse.
• Definition and parameterization of the IBD exposome metric.

Main Results:

• The exposome concept bridges the gap between genetic predisposition and environmental triggers in IBD.
• Environmental factors significantly modify IBD risk and precipitate relapses.
• The exposome encompasses life-course environmental exposures from in-utero to adulthood.

Conclusions:

• The exposome framework provides a comprehensive perspective on IBD pathogenesis.
• Defining and applying the IBD exposome can improve patient care and research.
• Further research is needed to practically apply the exposome concept in clinical settings.