Investigating the Crime Scene—Molecular Signatures in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are without cure and troublesome to manage because of the considerable diversity between patients and the lack of reliable biomarkers. Several studies have demonstrated that diet, gut microbiota, genetics and other patient factors are essential for disease occurrence and progression. Understanding the link between these factors is crucial for identifying molecular signatures that identify biomarkers to advance the management of IBD. Recent technological breakthroughs and data integration have fuelled the intensity of this research. This research demonstrates that the effect of diet depends on patient factors and gut microbial activity. It also identifies a range of potential biomarkers for IBD management, including mucosa-derived cytokines, gasdermins and neutrophil extracellular traps, all of which need further evaluation before clinical translation. This review provides an update on cutting-edge research in IBD that aims to improve disease management and patient quality of life.

Roles of Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

“…SCFAs play a role in maintaining the integrity of this barrier by promoting the production of mucus and enhancing tight junctions between gut epithelial cells. This can help prevent the entry of harmful substances into the intestinal tissue [128]. SCFAs, particularly butyrate, can promote the proliferation and differentiation of colonic epithelial cells, contributing to the repair of damaged tissue [30].…”

The Role of the Microbiome in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis—A Literature Review

“…G protein-coupled receptors (GPR) and Toll-like receptors (TLR) are activated by bacterial molecules such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). Alteration in the epithelial barrier promotes gut inflammation by increasing stimulation of the IL-17 receptor A (IL-17RA) and accumulating granulocytes in the mucosa [95]. IL-17 is a cytokine produced by T helper (Th17) cells.…”

Gut Microbiome and Disorders of the Gastrointestinal Tract

“…One noteworthy development revolves around the concept of microbiome-based diagnostics. Researchers are exploring the use of specific microbial signatures as biomarkers for various health conditions, offering non-invasive and potentially more accurate means of disease detection and monitoring [ 3 ]. By sequencing rRNA, microbial profiles aim to provide novel valuable diagnostic tools.…”