A clinical investigation into the abnormal apoptotic response associated with Crohn's disease

S克罗恩病是一种慢性炎症性疾病，可影响肠道的任何部位。这种情况的原因尚不清楚，但据认为是因为肠道细菌与身体之间的异常相互作用？S的免疫系统。西格尔？S教授的实验室最近提供了克隆氏S病患者对肠道细菌的异常免疫反应的证据。在对克罗恩？S病患者免疫反应的研究过程中，我们发现了自然发生的过程中的一种异常，称为程序性细胞死亡？或者是细胞凋亡。细胞凋亡是为了维持个体的健康而将某些细胞移出体内的过程。细胞凋亡的异常不仅见于癌症的发展，也见于存在慢性炎症因素的情况下。我们认为，克罗恩-S病患者的细胞凋亡异常使这些细胞能够驱动肠道出现的慢性炎症。这项拟议的研究项目将详细研究克罗恩-S病的异常细胞凋亡反应，并有望识别控制这一过程的缺陷分子和化学途径，有望开发新的治疗方案。

Crohn?s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that can affect any part of the gut. The cause of this is unknown but thought to occur because of abnormal interaction between the gut bacteria and the body?s immune system. Professor Segal?s laboratory has recently provided evidence of an abnormal immune response to gut bacteria in patients with Crohn?s disease. In the process of this research into the immune response in patients with Crohn?s disease, we have identified an abnormality in the naturally occurring process termed ?programmed cell death? or apoptosis. Apoptosis is the process by which certain cells are removed for the body in order to maintain the well being of an individual. Abnormalities in apoptosis are seen in the development of cancers, but also in conditions in which there is a chronic inflammatory element. We believe that an abnormality in apoptosis in Crohn?s disease patients allows these cells to drive the chronic inflammation seen in the gut. The proposed research project will investigate the abnormal apoptotic response in Crohn?s disease in detail and will hopefully result in the identification of defective molecules and chemical pathways that control this process hopefully leading to the development of new treatment options.