What's hot in inflammatory bowel disease in 2011?

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease (CD) are the two major forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this highlight topic series of articles, the most recent advances in the IBD field are reviewed, especially the newly described cytokines, including the therapeutic implications for their manipulation. In addition, the interplay between the intestinal microbiota and the host is reviewed, including the role of defensins and dysbiosis in CD pathogenesis. Finally, the importance of the non immune systems such as endothelial cells and the hemostatic system are highlighted as new players in IBD pathogenesis. (C) 2011 Baishideng. All rights reserved.