Qiao T, Wen XH. Exploring gut microbiota as a novel therapeutic target in Crohn’s disease: Insights and emerging strategies. World J Gastroenterol 2025; 31(2): 100827 [PMID: 39811502 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v31.i2.100827]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Xian-Hui Wen, PhD, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China. 17818521036@163.com
Research Domain of This Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Article-Type of This Article
Letter to the Editor
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 14, 2025; 31(2): 100827 Published online Jan 14, 2025. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v31.i2.100827
Exploring gut microbiota as a novel therapeutic target in Crohn’s disease: Insights and emerging strategies
Tong Qiao, Xian-Hui Wen
Tong Qiao, Department of Clinical Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
Xian-Hui Wen, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
Author contributions: Qiao T wrote the first draft of the manuscript; Wen XH reviewed and revised the final manuscript. All authors listed on the manuscript have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Xian-Hui Wen, PhD, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, No. 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China. 17818521036@163.com
Received: August 28, 2024 Revised: September 30, 2024 Accepted: November 15, 2024 Published online: January 14, 2025 Processing time: 112 Days and 22 Hours
Abstract
Extensive research has investigated the etiology of Crohn’s disease (CD), encompassing genetic predisposition, lifestyle factors, and environmental triggers. Recently, the gut microbiome, recognized as the human body’s second-largest gene pool, has garnered significant attention for its crucial role in the pathogenesis of CD. This paper investigates the mechanisms underlying CD, focusing on the role of ‘creeping fat’ in disease progression and exploring emerging therapeutic strategies, including fecal microbiota transplantation, enteral nutrition, and therapeutic diets. Creeping fat has been identified as a unique pathological feature of CD and has recently been found to be associated with dysbiosis of the gut microbiome. We characterize this dysbiotic state by identifying key microbiome-bacteria, fungi, viruses, and archaea, and their contributions to CD pathogenesis. Additionally, this paper reviews contemporary therapies, emphasizing the potential of biological therapies like fecal microbiota transplantation and dietary interventions. By elucidating the complex interactions between host-microbiome dynamics and CD pathology, this article aims to advance our understanding of the disease and guide the development of more effective therapeutic strategies for managing CD.
Core Tip: Crohn’s disease (CD) represents a complex and challenging medical condition, characterized by the intricate interplay between genetic predisposition, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and immune dysregulation. This paper discusses the key effects of the gut microbiota on CD, as well as how they affect creeping fat. Furthermore, the paper highlights the urgent need to address gut microbiota imbalances, particularly focusing on pathogenic species and their mechanisms, as a critical therapeutic target. The findings underscore the importance of a personalized approach to CD management, emphasizing the need for continued research and innovation to address this complex disease.
