Grazyna Adler, Iwona Zawada, Nermin Nusret Salkic, Ervin Alibegovic, Karolina Skonieczna-Zydecka, Mateusz Adler, Anna Kozlowska-Wiechowska, Violetta Sulzyc-Bielicka, Tomasz Olszowski, Beata Karakiewicz, Dariusz Bielicki
Background: The role of bacterial factors in the etiology of Crohn's disease is well-documented, yet the genetic predisposition remains a subject of extensive research. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is pivotal in recognizing bacterial lipopolysaccharides and initiating immune responses. This study investigates the association between TLR4 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to Crohn's disease in patient cohorts from Poland and Bosnia. Methods: We conducted a case-control study involving 200 patients diagnosed with Crohn's disease and 200 healthy controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TLR4 gene were identified using real-time PCR. Results: Our findings reveal a significant association between specific TLR4 polymorphisms and increased risk of Crohn's disease in both populations. The presence of these polymorphisms correlated with heightened inflammatory markers and more severe disease phenotypes. Conclusion: TLR4 gene polymorphisms may contribute to the genetic susceptibility of Crohn's disease, emphasizing the importance of genetic screening in at-risk populations.