UK Research Hinges on Gene Called ETS2

(NICENEWS.COM) — In a study published June 5, U.K. researchers revealed they found a major cause of inflammatory bowel disease, the umbrella term for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. These autoimmune conditions are increasing in prevalence — they were estimated to affect 6.8 million people worldwide in 2017, up from 3.7 million in 1990 — making new discoveries about their origins all the more important.
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Per a press release from the Francis Crick Institute in London, the research hinges on a gene called ETS2. The team found an “enhancer” section of the DNA that boosts ETS2, higher levels of which were correlated to a higher risk of IBD. Other genes that have previously been associated with the disease are also part of the ETS2 pathway, thus confirming the study results.
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“What we have found is one of the very central pathways that goes wrong when people get inflammatory bowel disease and this has been something of a holy grail,” lead researcher James Lee told The Guardian. Crucially, he said the “exciting” finding could open the door for new therapies: “It tells us this is something we can treat.” Read about some of the potential treatments the scientists are exploring.