Decades old puzzle solved as scientists uncover cause of inflammatory bowel disease

4 months ago by Wudi to c/science

upbeatdingo 52 points 4 months ago

Interesting article, for anyone wanting the TLDR:

Antibodies that block interleukin-10 (IL-10), a cell-to-cell messenger that normally acts as one of the body’s key controls on inflammation, effectively remove the immune system’s natural ‘brake’ on inflammation, allowing inflammatory responses to continue unchecked.

save

path: 0 24252564, hotness: undefined, score: 52, children: 5

laranis 29 points 4 months ago

Thanks for the TLDR. As a layman, that sounds like they've discovered the mechanism by which it happens, not the cause as the title suggests. Why is there an imbalance of those antibodies in the first place?

I know they'll come up with some drug that blocks those antibodies from interacting with IL-10 and it will be great for those who suffer from this. But something has to be the cause, right? Something that itself can be addressed?

save

path: 0 24252564 24252697, hotness: undefined, score: 29, children: 4

DaleGribble88 18 points 4 months ago

Super cool research! However, it says that the genetic marker is only in 3.5% of patients, so it may be better to say that they found "a" cause rather than "the" cause. But that's still ok because that could eventually translate to cures or at least enhanced treatment for many thousands of people!

Donation link for anyone interested. This organization was a huge help for a family member some years ago - https://giving.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/...

save

path: 0 24252564 24252697 24253533, hotness: undefined, score: 18, children: 0

jam12705 17 points 4 months ago

In the article they explain its a certain genetic marker thats activated causing the imbalance.

save

path: 0 24252564 24252697 24252934, hotness: undefined, score: 17, children: 2