Gut microbiota and IBD: Causation or correlation?

Josephine Ni, Gary D. Wu, Lindsey Albenberg, Vesselin T. Tomov

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

977 Scopus citations

Abstract

A general consensus exists that IBD is associated with compositional and metabolic changes in the intestinal microbiota (dysbiosis). However, a direct causal relationship between dysbiosis and IBD has not been definitively established in humans. Findings from animal models have revealed diverse and context-specific roles of the gut microbiota in health and disease, ranging from protective to pro-inflammatory actions. Moreover, evidence from these experimental models suggest that although gut bacteria often drive immune activation, chronic inflammation in turn shapes the gut microbiota and contributes to dysbiosis. The purpose of this Review is to summarize current associations between IBD and dysbiosis, describe the role of the gut microbiota in the context of specific animal models of colitis, and discuss the potential role of microbiota-focused interventions in the treatment of human IBD. Ultimately, more studies will be needed to define host-microbial relationships relevant to human disease and amenable to therapeutic interventions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)573-584
Number of pages12
JournalNature Reviews Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Volume14
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2017
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hepatology
  • Gastroenterology

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