Novel Biomarkers in Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The inflammatory bowel diseases represent a heterogeneous group of chronic , relapsing-remitting inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, and Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are among the two major clinical forms The global incidence and prevalence of The inflammatory bowel diseases has increased over the last 2-4 decades, likely because of the adoption of a more "western" lifestyle as well as improved detection and awareness . Despite the great progress in understanding the pathogenesis of these diseases, their etiology remains unclear. Genetic, immune, and environmental factors are thought to play a key role .

In the case of Crohn's disease , chronic inflammation can be localized in every gastrointestinal tract segment and involves the full thickness of the intestinal wall. In contrast ,in ulcerative colitis , mucosa and submucosa membranes of the large intestine are usually involved The illness starts in the rectum and generally extends proximally through the whole colon. . Both diseases differ in the localization and size of the segment involved. There are also differences in clinical image, laboratory test results, and different characteristics of complications. The course and grade of disease activity depend on many factors, such as environmental influences , genetic features, changes in the intestinal microbiota ecosystem, and immune factors .

The correct diagnosis of non-specific inflammatory bowel diseases as well as the determination of disease activity, risk stratification , and prediction of response to therapy still relies on a multidisciplinary approach based on clinical, laboratory, endoscopic, and histologic examination . However, considerable effort has been devoted to the development of an accurate panel of noninvasive bio markers that have increased diagnostic sensitivity and specificity .

Osteoprotegerin , also known as is a member of the Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor superfamily of proteins. Osteoprotegerin is involved in many biological processes: its role is of particular importance in bone metabolism, inflammation , tumorigenesis, and other processes where cell differentiation, survival, and death are controlled. Osteoprotegerin was detected in serum, mucosal biopsies, and in the stool .

The Osteoprotegerin gene is located on chromosome 8q23- 24.17. The mature OPG protein contains 380 amino acids and consists of seven domains. The first four domains (D1-D4) contain cysteine-rich structures at the N terminus which are required for the inhibition of osteoclast differentiation. The fifth and the sixth domain (D5 and D6) are death-domains and may be important in cytotoxic signals. The seventh domain, a C terminus heparin-binding site, is involved in dimer osteoprotegerin formation .