Scientists identify seven new risk regions in coelic disease

London, Mar 3 : Researchers at University of London have made advancement in coelic disease pathology by identifying seven new gene regions responsible for the condition.

Coeliac disease is a disorder triggered by intolerance to gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley and rye containing foods) that prevents normal digestion and absorption of nutrients.

The team led by David van Heel, Professor of Gastrointestinal Genetics at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry conducted a whole genome study and identified the genetic markers.

They compared the genetic markers in the people with the disease and the healthy controls and evaluated nearly 1,000 strongest markers in further 5,000 samples.

The researchers discovered seven new risk regions, six of which had genes that controlled immune responses, thus emphasizing their implications in the development of the disease.

"So far our findings explain nearly half of the heritability of coeliac disease - now studies with many more samples from individuals with coeliac disease are needed to identify the precise causal genetic variants from each region, and understand how these influence biological processes," Nature Genetics quoted Professor van Heel as saying.

The study is published online in Nature Genetics.

ANI