Study reveals a host of new clues about gene-environment interactions in Crohn's disease -
A new study finds a wide range of epigenetic changes, alterations in DNA throughout the genome that can be linked to environmental exposure in children with Crohn's disease (CD), reports inflammatory bowel disease Official journal of Crohn's Foundation and colitis of America (CCFA). The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, part of Wolters Kluwer Health.
The study provides "irrefutable evidence" of DNA damage in several regions of the genome in children with CD, according to Professor Jack Satsangi of the University of Edinburgh and colleagues. In addition to providing new ideas on how genes and environment interact, the results may have implications for early clinical management of CD.
Changes in epigenetic disease of childhood-Onset Crohn
The researchers conducted a study "genome" in children with newly diagnosed CD before any treatment, looking for possible epigenetic changes that may affect the behavior of genes. epigenetic changes reflect the impact of a wide range of environmental factors on genes.
The results showed strong evidence of these changes at 65 different sites across the genome. Nineteen sites have shown the combination of epigenetic changes, showing the genetic pathways that could be relevant for the development of CD.
Similar trends were present in a separate group of children who had been treated for the CD, as well as in a group of adults treated.
study showed changes "very important" in two specific genes locations (loci) which comprise the genes responsible for immune cell functions and that could contribute to the development of CD. Two probes for these loci were very accurate in predicting which children have CD, providing a "biomarker" potentially useful for use as a diagnostic test.
"exciting and immediate implications" for clinical management
a specific location of the gene seemed particularly important because it was involved in a number of cancers, including colorectal cancer. the same area has a known role in the development of T cells, a type of immune cell key.
the study also identified a number of other loci that could play a role in the development of the CD, which further justifies study.
new research adds to the growing body of evidence of epigenetic changes in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, type 2 diabetes and obesity. the results highlight the importance of combining information on modifications of DNA, genes and gene expression in future studies of these and other complex diseases, Dr Satsangi and his colleagues believe .
Crohn's disease is a painful, medically incurable can attack anywhere along the digestive system. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which implies that the large intestine (colon) are the two main types of inflammatory bowel disease. Some 1.4 million adults and US children suffer from CD or ulcerative colitis.
Although much more research is needed to understand epigenetic changes, investigators believe that their findings could lead to advances in the clinical management of childhood onset of CD the near future. They write: "There are interesting and immediate implications for early clinical translation ;. The discovery of easily accessible peripheral blood biomarkers to predict disease susceptibility, progression or treatment response and potential new therapeutic targets "
EmoticonEmoticon