title: Viruses, autophagy genes, and Crohn's disease.
abstract: The etiology of the intestinal disease Crohn's disease involves genetic factors as well as ill-defined environmental agents. Several genetic variants linked to this disease are associated with autophagy, a process that is critical for proper responses to viral infections. While a role for viruses in this disease remains speculative, accumulating evidence indicate that this possibility requires serious consideration. In this review, we will examine the three-way relationship between viruses, autophagy genes, and Crohn's disease and discuss how host-pathogen interactions can mediate complex inflammatory disorders.
authors: Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
authors: Vanessa M
authors: VM
authors: Hubbard
authors: Ken
authors: K
authors: Cadwell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001343:Autophagy / Q000235:genetics*; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology