Inflammatory Disorder may be Caused by Genetic Defects

Certain genetic mutations that contribute to inflammatory disorder, ulcerative colitis have been identified by British scientists.

Four genes namely LAMB1, CDH1, CDH3 and HNF4A play vital roles in keeping the intestine lining healthy.

Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is characterized by bouts of diarrhea, bleeding per rectum and pain, which remits and relapses. Fulminant colitis is a possibility, which may require colectomy.

The study showed that defects in these four genes leads to leaky gut thereby causing the inflammatory disease.

Ulcerative colitis is a life-long, incurable condition, which can cause diarrhoea, fever, abdominal pain and swelling and weight loss.

The gut contains large number of bacteria, which play a key role in the digestive process, and in keeping the gut healthy.

Peptic Ulcer
Encyclopedia section of medindia gives general information about Peptic Ulcer

These genes affect the seals at the junctions between the cells of the epithelium.

While comparing the genomes of 4,700 people with the condition, to 8,000 healthy people, the research team found that defects in the epithelium can allow these bacteria to leak into the wall of the intestine, where they can trigger an immune reaction, leading to prolonged inflammation.

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Experts believe this is one of the causes of ulcerative colitis.

"We have long suspected that genetic defects in the epithelial barrier are important in ulcerative colitis," BBC News quoted Dr Miles Parkes, Consultant Gastroenterologist at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, as saying.

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"This large scale genetic study provides the first robust genetic evidence that this is the case," Parkes added.

"This is very significant as most treatments to date are based on damping down immune response," said Professor Chris Mathew, from King's College London, who also worked on the study.

The study appears in journal Nature Genetics.

Source-ANI
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