Scientific Abstract
Proposal No. IBD-0157R2
Principal Investigator: Jean-Pierre Hugot, M.D., Ph.D.
Applicant Organization: Naturalia et Biologia (Paris, France)
Project Title: Role of psychotrophic bacteria in Crohn's disease
Period of Award: May 1, 2006 – October 31, 2007
The aim of the study is to establish or exclude an interaction between enteropathogenic Yersinia species and CARD15/NOD2.
Crohn’s disease (CD) is characterized by a relapsing inflammatory process of the digestive tract. The etiology of the disease is unknown. CD is a complex where environmental and genetic risk factors interact. The report by our group and Gabriel Nuñez’s group that Card15/Nod2 is a susceptibility gene for CD provides a unique opportunity to search for specific environmental factors in patients and to develop preventive measures.
CD environmental risk factors are related to a Western way of life. We recently postulated that refrigeration may, in part, contribute to the outbreak of CD during the 20th century. This hypothesis allowed us to focus on bacteria able to grow at low temperatures, including Yersinia species and Listeria monocytogenes. These bacteria have been found in CD lesions and preliminary data from our group and others suggest a link between these bacteria and Card15/Nod2.
We propose here to analyze the interaction between Yersinia species and Card15/Nod2 in order to define further the putative role of bacteria in CD. The study could provide the rationale for more detailed epidemiological studies and preventive actions.