Indeed, two autophagy-related genes named ATG16L1 and IRGM have been reported to be mutated in IBD.7 In addition, more recently, small non-coding RNAs (microRNAs),8 which have an important role in several biological9–12 and pathological processes,13,14 are novel players in IBD.15,16. This evidence concerns the gene IRGM and irritable bowel syndrome.