Review
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World J Gastroenterol. Feb 7, 2012; 18(5): 412-424
Published online Feb 7, 2012. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i5.412
Role of ATG16L, NOD2 and IL23R in Crohn’s disease pathogenesis
Saleh A Naser, Melissa Arce, Anam Khaja, Marlene Fernandez, Najih Naser, Sammer Elwasila, Saisathya Thanigachalam
Saleh A Naser, Melissa Arce, Anam Khaja, Marlene Fernandez, Sammer Elwasila, Saisathya Thanigachalam, Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, United States
Najih Naser, Division of Research and Development, BioSynse, Cary, NC 27513, United States
Author contributions: All authors made substantial contributions to conception and design, drafting the article and revising it critically for important intellectual content; and all authors approved the version to be published.
Supported by The Broad Foundation grant, No. IBD-0207R
Correspondence to: Saleh A Naser, PhD, Professor, Graduate, Coordinator, Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, United States. nasers@mail.ucf.edu
Telephone: +1-407-8230955 Fax: +1-407-8230956
Received: April 1, 2011
Revised: August 8, 2011
Accepted: August 27, 2011
Published online: February 7, 2012
Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of diseases that includes Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis. CD is characterized as a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract, ranging from the mouth to the anus. Although there are gross pathological and histological similarities between CD and Johne’s disease of cattle, the cause of CD remains controversial. It is vital to understand fully the cause of this disease because it affects approximately 500 000 people in North America and Europe. It ranges from 27 to 48 cases per 100 000 people. There are many theories on the cause of CD ranging from possible association with environmental factors including microorganisms to imbalance in the intestinal normal flora of the patients. Regardless of the environmental trigger, there is strong evidence that a genetic disposition is a major key in acquiring CD. Many studies have proven the link between mutations in the ATG16L, NOD2/CARD15, IBD5, CTLA4, TNFSF15 and IL23R genes, and CD. The purpose of this review is to examine all genetic aspects and theories of CD, including up to date multiple population studies performed worldwide.

Keywords: Crohn’s disease; ATG16L; NOD2/CARD15; IBD5; CTLA4; TNFSF15; IL23R