Abstract
The current theory on the etiology of inflammatory bowel disease involves the interaction between a triggering environmental factor, possibly in the microbiome, and an individual susceptible to the disease due to genetic defects in immune function and regulation. To date over 300 genes and over 20 bacteria and viruses have been associated with the disease. No single factor is causative of the disease. Instead, an interplay of these factors leads to an inappropriate immune response resulting in the clinical characteristics or phenotype of the disease. Defects in the main innate immune functions of epithelial barrier function, pathogen recognition, and autophagy as well as adaptive immune dysfunction, particularly in T cell activation, differentiation, and function, have all been implicated in the disease.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsAuthor information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 ASCRS (American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Connelly, T.M., Koltun, W.A. (2019). Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Pathobiology. In: Steele, S., Hull, T., Hyman, N., Maykel, J., Read, T., Whitlow, C. (eds) The ASCRS Manual of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01165-9_44
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01165-9_44
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-01164-2
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-01165-9
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)