Familial Association of Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Autoantibodies in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Objectives: Elevated granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor auto-antibodies (GM-CSF Ab) are associated with increased intestinal permeability and stricturing behavior in Crohn disease (CD). We tested for familial association of serum GM-CSF Ab level in CD and ulcerative colitis (UC) families.

Methods: Serum GM-CSF Ab concentration was determined in 230 pediatric CD probands and 404 of their unaffected parents and siblings, and 45 UC probands and 71 of their unaffected parents and siblings.