Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which encompasses both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronically relapsing intestinal disorder that is characterized by diarrhea and abdominal pain.
The incidence of IBD is increasing worldwide. Although some major advances have been made in recent years, the pathogenesis of the disease still remains obscure. As currently understood, a combination of genetic alterations and immunological disturbances causing an interaction of the enteric microflora with the underlying mucosa and a disrupted barrier function may be crucial for the development of disease.
Despite substantial new data that have been obtained over the last several years, it has become increasingly difficult to accommodate these into a unifying disease model. Identification of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines has introduced "biologic therapies," but treatment of IBD is still based mainly on broad-spectrum immunosuppressive drugs such as steroids and azathioprine. In this volume, the most relevant pathogenetic aspects are stressed: genetic alterations, disrupted epithelial barrier function, immunological disturbances, and the role of the enteric microflora.
Introduction: Current Limitations of IBD Treatment
Where Do We Go From Here?: S.R. Targan
Part I: Genetics of Inflammatory Bowel Disease -NOD/CARD Proteins: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Consequences?:
1. Microbial Signaling Through NOD Proteins: D. Philpott
2. NOD2/CARD Mutations in Crohn's Disease: J.P. Hugot
3. Functional Relevance of NOD2 On Cellular Signalling in Crohn's Disease: G. Nunez
4. Do Genetic Mutations Provide New Insights for Therapy?: J. Cho
Part II: Immunologic Abnormalities in IBD - What Can We Learn From Animal Models?:
5. Role of TGF? in Mucosal Inflammation: W. Strober
6. TNF/TNFR-Pathways in Chronic Inflammation: G. Kollias
7. Lessons From Enteric Infections: L. Eckmann
8. New Insights From Studies of Regulatory T Cell Populations: A. O'Garra
9. the Commensal Microbial Flora: Relevance for Intestinal Inflammation: C.O. Elson
Part III: Immunologic Disturbances in Human IBD - Defining and Manipulating the Key Pathways:
10. Chemokines and Cell Trafficking Within the Inflamed Mucosa -- Inhibition of Chemokine Receptors or Ligands as a Potential Approach for Treatment?: I.R. Williams
11. Life and Death - the Role of Apoptosis: T. Kucharzik
12. Cytokines - Who Are the Key Plays and the Role for Cytokine Treatment: R.S. Blumberg
13. Novel Signal Transduction Pathways - Relevance for Future Therapies?: M.F. Neurath
14. NF-Kappa-B Signaling -the Pros and Cons of Altering NF-?B as a Therapeutic Approach: M. Karin
15. Intracellular Targets: a Role for Inhibition of MAP-Kinases in Therapy?: S.J. Deventer
16. Leucocyte Adhesion Molecules - Are They Relevant as Target for IBD Treatment?: D.B. Binion
Part IV: Intestinal Epithelial Cells in IBD - An Active Barrier?:
17. Tight Junction Function and the Modulation of Paracellular Permeability During IBD: a. Nusrat
18. Epithelial Transport Under Inflammatory Conditions - Can It Be Regulated?: M.C. Berin
19. Imbalance of Epithelial Electrolyte Homeostasis - Role in the Pathophysiology of IBD: U. Seidler
20. Neutrophil Transepithelial Migration and Epithelial Barrier Function in IBD - Potential Targets for Inhibiting Neutrophil Trafficking: C.A. Parkos
Part V: GALT - Relevant for Regulation of Inflammation?:
21. Collaboration of Epithelial Cells With Organized Lymphoid Tissue: M.J. Kraehenbuhl
22. Role of Lymphotoxins in the Development of PP and MLN - Relevance to Intestinal Inflammation and Treatment: T.W. Spahn
23. Trafficking and Function of Mucosal Dendritic Cells: A. Iwasaki
24. Intraepithelial T-Cells - Implication for Intestinal Inflammation: M. Kronenberg
Part VI: Relevance of Microbial Factors - Additive Or Causative for IBD?:
25. Microbial - Epithelial Cell Crosstalk During Inflammation: The Host Response: M. Kagnoff
26. Role of Toll-Like Receptors in Orchestrating the Innate Immune Response - Potential Targets for Treatment?: D. Podolsky
27. Host-Bacterial Interactions in the Gut: Signalling by Commensal Flora: J. Gordon
28. Immunostimulatory DNA- Potential Therapeutics for Treatment of Enteric Inflammatory Disease?: E. Raz
29. Probiotics - Their Role in Controlling Intestinal Inflammation?: J.F. Colombel
30. Inflammatory Bowel Disease - Pandora's Box, Present and Future: J. Schölmerich