Damage-associated molecular patterns in inflammatory bowel disease: From biomarkers to therapeutic targets.

Damage-associated molecular patterns in inflammatory bowel disease: From biomarkers to therapeutic targets. World J Gastroenterol. 2018 Nov 07;24(41):4622-4634 Authors: Nanini HF, Bernardazzi C, Castro F, de Souza HSP Abstract The chronic inflammatory process underlying inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), comprising Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, derives from the interplay of several components in a genetically susceptible host. These components include environmental elements and gut microbiota a dysbiosis. For decades, immune abnormalities have been investigated as critically important in IBD pathogenesis, and attempts to develop effective therapies have predominantly targeted the immune system. Nevertheless, immune events represent only one of the constituents contributing to IBD pathogenesis within the context of the complex cellular and molecular network underlying chronic intestinal inflammation. These factors need to be appreciated within the milieu of non-immune components. Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which are essentially endogenous stress proteins expressed or released as a result of cell or tissue damage, have been shown to act as direct pro-inflammatory mediators. Excessive or persistent signalling mediated by such molecules can underlie several chronic inflammatory disorders, including IBD. The release of endogenous DAMPs amplifies the inflammatory response driven by immune and non-immune cells an...
Source: World Journal of Gastroenterology : WJG - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Tags: World J Gastroenterol Source Type: research