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Scientists Discover Major Cause of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Affecting Millions, Published in Nature

Jun 5, 2024, 03:53 PM

Researchers at the Crick, in collaboration with UCL and Imperial College London, have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the cause of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The discovery centers on a 'gene desert' that directs macrophage inflammation through a gene called ETS2. This newly identified biological pathway can be targeted using existing drugs, potentially offering new treatment options for millions of people affected by IBD. The research, described as a 'holy grail' discovery, highlights the role of an enhancer seen only in immune cells called macrophages, which boosts the ETS2 gene and increases the risk of IBD. The findings were published in Nature.