Lay Summary

Proposal No. IBD-0225R3
Principal Investigator: Salvatore Cucchiara, M.D., Ph.D.
Applicant Organization: University of Rome “La Sapienza” (Italy)
Project Title: Molecular characterization of mucosa-associated intestinal microbiota and intestinal innate immune response: searching for additional mechanisms in pediatric Crohn’s disease 
Period of Award:  March 1, 2009 – February 28, 2011

The aim of our study is to explore bacteriological and immunological arms of the intestinal environment of pediatric CD patients. We will compare the qualitative compositions of the mucosa-associated microbiota in different phases of disease and to assess if a particular subset of bacterial strains could be associated with the disease. In addition, selected strains will be used to investigate immunological nature of the host-bacteria interaction. The study is innovative because very little is known about biologic and functional features of these mucosal bacteria strains, which seem to abnormally colonize the gut of CD patients and about its interaction with the immunologic system. The study will be performed in a pediatric population with CD: this is worthy to emphasize since CD occurring in pediatric age has recently focused the interest of worldwide investigators that have defined it a research priority. Interestingly, a dramatic increase in the incidence of CD in childhood has recently been reported, with almost one fourth of all IBD occurring during childhood or adolescence. There is a widespread assumption that the most challenging issue in pediatric IBD will be how to translate the current advancement in the immunity, molecular genetics and gut-associated microbiota into tailored and therapeutic strategies that may slow down, if not prevent, the progression into the chronic forms of adult IBD. If specific bacterial strains will be shown to contribute to the development or the progression of CD, and some steps of their interaction with the innate immune system will be clarified, the results obtained through this research project might identify new therapeutic targets in the management of pediatric CD.