Researchers Find Gene Tied to IBD

A gene that is closely tied to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been identified. The details appear in a research study published ahead of print in the online version of Science.

The researchers studied the DNA of 1000 people with Crohn’s disease and compared it with 1000 people who did not have IBD (either Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis). They found that there was a strong connection between the gene IL23R and Crohn’s disease.

The IL23R gene can have different variations. People who had one variation of the gene were actually 2 to 4 times less likely to have Crohn’s disease. This particular variation, however, is uncommon.

The result of this research is important because it can provide a direction for new therapies to treat IBD. It may be possible to develop a drug that blocks the action of the IL23R gene. This could lead to more targeted therapies for IBD.

Researchers note, however, that not all cases of IBD are necessarily due to the IL23R gene. This study only included patients who were of European descent and research needs to be done that includes patients of other ethnicities. The authors also indicate that the results of their research are not useful in the development of a genetic test for IBD.