Purpose of review: The aim of this article is to highlight recent progress in the combined joint and gut disease in spondyloarthropathies.
Recent findings: A set of genes has been identified that are differentially expressed in the colon of spondyloarthropathy and Crohn's disease patients. Reduction of human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA B27) misfolding by additional beta2-microglobulin in HLA B27 transgenic rats unexpectedly increased disease severity, with more similarities to spondyloarthropathies. By contrast, colitis disappeared.
Summary: Human genomic studies combined with animal model research provide new clues concerning the common pathogenesis of spondyloarthropathy and Crohn's disease, further substantiating the unique relationship between gut and joint inflammation.