Clinical Systematic Review
Genetics and epigenetics of inflammatory bowel diseases
Tommaso Gabbani, Simona Deiana, Natalia Manetti, Vito Annese
1Gastroenterologia 2, AOU Careggi, Firenze
IBD has a strong familial aggregation with striking geographic and ethnic differences in prevalence. At least 163 susceptibility loci are described and many of these are shared with other im- mune diseases. The epigenetic mecha- nisms might play an important role and represent the meeting point between genetic and environmental factors. While the genetic profile remains sta- ble during life, epigenetic profile is in- fluenced by environmental factors and transmitted during mitosis.