Polymorphism in ICAM-1, PECAM-1, E-selectin, and L-selectin genes in Tunisian patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) are chronic intestinal disorders characterized by immune dysregulation and leukocytes recruitment into gastrointestinal tract. Cell adhesion molecules (CAM) mediate the extravasation of leukocytes and their accumulation in inflamed intestinal mucosa. Recently, CAM genes have been implicated in determining susceptibility to UC and CD.