title: Role of Autophagy in the Maintenance of Intestinal Homeostasis.
abstract: Genome-wide association studies of inflammatory bowel disease have identified several risk loci in genes that regulate autophagy, and studies have provided insight into the functional effects of these polymorphisms. We review the mechanisms by which autophagy contributes to intestinal homeostasis, focusing on its cell type-specific roles in regulating gut ecology, restricting pathogenic bacteria, and controlling inflammation. Based on this information, we are beginning to understand how alterations in autophagy can contribute to intestinal inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Leigh A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Baxt
authors.affiliation: Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Gastrointestinal Unit and Center for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Electronic address: xavier@molbio.mgh.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Ramnik J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Xavier
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001343:Autophagy / Q000235:genetics; D056426:Genetic Loci; D005819:Genetic Markers; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000473:pathology*; D010641:Phenotype; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers; D018836:Inflammation Mediators
keywords: Cell Biology; Genetics; IBD; Pathogenesis