Gut virome: New key players in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory illness of the intestine. While the mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of IBD is not fully understood, it is believed that a complex combination of host immunological response, environmental exposure, particularly the gut microbiota, and genetic susceptibility represents the major determinants. The gut virome is a group of viruses found in great frequency in the gastrointestinal tract of humans. The gut virome varies greatly among individuals and is influenced by factors including lifestyle, diet, health and disease conditions, geography, and urbanization. The majority of research has focused on the significance of gut bacteria in the progression of IBD, although viral populations represent an important component of the microbiome. We conducted this review to highlight the viral communities in the gut and their expected roles in the etiopathogenesis of IBD regarding published research to date.

Keywords: Inflammatory bowel disease; Pathogenesis; Gut virome; Bacteriophage; Eukaryotic viruses

Core Tip: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic multifactorial inflammatory disease involving the gastrointestinal tract. The exact etiopathogenesis is unknown, but it’s believed that gut microbiome dysbiosis is a cornerstone in triggering disease progression. The gut virome forms a significant part of the gut microbiome and participate in health and disease conditions. Until 2015, researchers paid little attention to their role in IBD. Subsequently, numerous studies have followed this line of inquiry, using advanced techniques to clarify this role. Herein, we emphasize the viral populations in the gut and their predicted roles in the etiopathogenesis of IBD based on current studies.