The developing microbiome and inflammatory bowel diseases

The human intestinal microbiome is a biological system inherently associated with the development of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. These disorders are chronic forms of intestinal inflammation, which are generally accepted to develop as a result of an uncontrolled mucosal immune response in genetically susceptible hosts, which is induced by environmental triggers that are more common in the economically advanced parts of the world. Important observations indicate that perturbation of early microbiome maturation in humans may significantly increase the risk for developing IBD later in life. Therefore, understanding and protecting physiologic intestinal microbiome development, especially during infancy may provide an important opportunity for us to defend people from developing these autoimmune inflammatory conditions of the gut. This chapter examines the role of the microbiome in IBD from the developmental origins perspective. It highlights the significant challenges and opportunities ahead of us for creating microbiome directed preventative and therapeutic measures not only for IBD, but perhaps other autoimmune diseases as well.