Thirteen new gene variants associated with an increased risk of developing celiac disease have been reported by scientists in the UK in the journal Nature Genetics.
Celiac disease, less commonly called gluten-sensitive enteropathy or celiac disease, is an inherited autoimmune disease. In people suffering from it, the lining of the small intestine is damaged by the gluten contained in grains.
About 1% of people suffer from celiac disease. people in the world. So far, the only effective way to inhibit the development of the disease is to strictly follow a gluten-free diet.
David van Heel and colleagues from Queen Mary University in London examined genetic samples of 9 celiac patients and discovered as many as 451 new sequences that increase the risk of this disease. Most of them code for proteins from the immune system. In addition, the authors emphasize that 13 of the 18 known genetic risk factors for celiac disease are also involved in other autoimmune diseases, such as type I diabetes and osteoarthritis. (PAP)