Keynote Message

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) reflects a spectrum of intestinal disorders, across species that are characterized by a dysregulated immune response to environmental and microbial antigens in genetically susceptible individuals. The interplay between the intestinal environment (chemical and microbial) and the host that leads to chronic inflammation is only beginning to be unraveled. It is emerging that inflammation in the absence of genetic susceptibility to IBD can trigger alterations in the enteric microbiome that can promote and perpetuate chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation in a susceptible individual. Genetic susceptibility impacts the threshold and magnitude of dysbiosis and inflammation, and mucosal healing. Concordant analysis of the microbiome and the metabolome has helped to identify bacteria and metabolic pathways that are adapted to utilize inflammation-associated substrates and promote inflammation. These discoveries provide unique opportunities for therapeutic intervention in the dysbiotic, inflamed gut.

Key References

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