Genetic Risks for Celiac Disease
Brief: An international research study investigating the causes of intestinal inflammatory conditions has identified a new genetic risk factor for celiac disease. The study, lead by David van Heel a Professor at Queen Mary, University of London, found that celiacs often lack a protective DNA sequence in a specific gene region that is otherwise found in healthy individuals.

This study has found that celiacs often lack a protective DNA sequence in the interleukin-2 and interleukin-21 gene region. Interleukin-2 and interleukin-21 are cytokine proteins secreted by white bloods cells that control inflammation, and both have been implicated in the mechanisms of other intestinal inflammatory diseases.

To read the full study visit:
http://www.nature.com.proxygw.wrlc.org/ng/journal/vaop/ncurrent/index.html