Background: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are multifactorial disorders, characterized by failure to limit the inflammatory response to luminal antigens. Although genetic factors play an important role in the pathogenesis, little is known about the genes accountable. Immune response to intestinal bacteria seems to be crucial in the pathogenesis of IBD.
Methods: To evaluate the role of the CD14 gene in IBD, a functionally relevant polymorphism in the promoter region (T/C at position -159) has been genotyped in 219 patients with Crohn disease (CD), 142 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 410 healthy controls by RFLP analysis.
Results: T allele and TT genotype frequencies were found increased in CD patients compared to controls (Pc=0.044 and 0.005, respectively).
Conclusion: An altered immune response to LPS seems to play a role in the genetic predisposition to CD but not to UC.