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World J Gastroenterol. Jan 7, 2014; 20(1): 91-99
Published online Jan 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i1.91
Inflammatory bowel disease: Pathogenesis
Yi-Zhen Zhang, Yong-Yu Li
Yi-Zhen Zhang, Yong-Yu Li, Department of Pathophysiology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
Author contributions: Zhang YZ and Li YY have substantial contributions to conception and design, and acquisition of data; Zhang YZ drafted the article; Li YY revised the manuscript critically for important intellectual content; Zhang YZ and Li YY worked together for the final approval of the version to be published.
Supported by Grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81270477
Correspondence to: Yong-Yu Li, MD, Department of Pathophysiology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Siping Road 1239, Shanghai 200092, China. liyongyu@tongji.edu.cn
Telephone: +86-21-65981021 Fax: +86-21-65987071
Received: September 29, 2013
Revised: November 5, 2013
Accepted: November 28, 2013
Published online: January 7, 2014
Processing time: 112 Days and 22.1 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Recent research indicated that the individual’s genetic susceptibility, external environment, intestinal microbial flora and immune responses are all involved and functionally integrated in the pathogenesis of IBD. The main purpose of this review is to offer an update that have occurred in each of the above four areas, and to highlight the future work to find a clear understanding of IBD pathogenesis.