Beyond gene discovery in inflammatory bowel disease: the emerging role of epigenetics

NT Ventham, NA Kennedy, ER Nimmo, J Satsangi - Gastroenterology, 2013 - Elsevier
Gastroenterology, 2013Elsevier
In the past decade, there have been fundamental advances in our understanding of genetic
factors that contribute to the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) Crohn's disease and
ulcerative colitis. The latest international collaborative studies have brought the number of
IBD susceptibility gene loci to 163. However, genetic factors account for only a portion of
overall disease variance, indicating a need to better explore gene-environment interactions
in the development of IBD. Epigenetic factors can mediate interactions between the …
In the past decade, there have been fundamental advances in our understanding of genetic factors that contribute to the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The latest international collaborative studies have brought the number of IBD susceptibility gene loci to 163. However, genetic factors account for only a portion of overall disease variance, indicating a need to better explore gene-environment interactions in the development of IBD. Epigenetic factors can mediate interactions between the environment and the genome; their study could provide new insight into the pathogenesis of IBD. We review recent progress in identification of genetic factors associated with IBD and discuss epigenetic mechanisms that could affect development and progression of IBD.
Elsevier