The Interplay of Genes with the Gut Microbiota in the Aetiopathogenesis of Spondyloarthropathies and Crohn’s Disease: Implications for Future Therapeutic Targets

Abstract

The phenotypical overlap between the spondyloarthropathies (SpA) and Crohn’s disease (CD) has long been recognised. More recently, the co-inheritance of these diseases and the existence of a plethora of shared genetic risk loci have been demonstrated by genealogic databases and genome-wide association studies. Now there is mounting evidence to suggest that the interplay between the gut microbiota and host genetics is central to the shared aetiopathogenesis of SpA and CD. The clinical management of patients with both SpA and CD can be challenging. Preliminary studies seeking to understand this interplay have identified novel therapeutic targets and approaches, which may, in the future, significantly advance patient care. This review provides an overview of the role of host genetics and the intestinal microbiota in the shared aetiopathogenesis of SpA and CD, and explores how this interplay can advance the search for new therapeutic targets.

Keywords

• crohn’s disease
• dysbiosis
• genetic risk factors
• gut microbiota
• human leukocyte antigen (hla)-b27
• spondyloarthritis
• spondyloarthropathies (spa)