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This article is a review of susceptibility genes involved in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Approximately 40 IBD-associated genes have now been described, and variants discussed in this article include the Crohn’s disease susceptibility gene NOD2, the autophagy genes ATG16L1 and IRGM, and genes involved in inflammation/immunosuppression (e.g. IL23R, PTPN2, and IL10).
Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease are characterized by a chronic inflammation that damages the gut, with associated chronic inflammatory symptoms. Environmental factors involved in IBD etiopathogenesis may either act directly to alter the immune system through the induction of a pro-inflammatory response, or indirectly by modulating genes involved in immune and intestinal homeostasis. This article provides an interesting review of particular genes involved in these complex diseases.