Coeliac Disease Is a Condition in Which the Lining of the Small Intestine Becomes Damaged

Coeliac disease is a condition in which the lining of the small intestine becomes damaged by exposure to dietary wheat. Ireland has the highest incidence of this condition in the world. Coeliac disease is caused by the body’s immune system reacting to proteins in wheat and producing inflammation which damages the intestine. It has been known for some time that certain common genes known as HCA genes contribute to susceptibility to the condition. A new study which involves joint efforts of researches in UK, Holland and Trinity College Dublin has resulted in the identification of a new genetic association of coeliac disease with the immune-related IL-21 gene. This study provides the first clear evidence of a second gene for coeliac disease. Trinity researchers Dr Ross McManus, Prof Con Feighery and Prof Dermot Kelleher contributed to this work which now permits new insights into the mechanism of the disease – Get quotes for Dr McManus and Prof Feighery

Patients with coeliac disease cannot eat bread, pasta and other wheat containing foods. Understanding of the mechanism of disease could pave the way to new says of treating this condition.