A research team from the Francis Crick Institute, University College London, and Imperial College London investigated a non-coding DNA region known as a “gene desert,” previously associated with IBD and other autoimmune diseases, and discovered the presence of an “enhancer.” An “enhancer” acts like a volume dial, capable of increasing the amount of protein produced by a gene. The enhancer discovered by the research group was only activated in macrophages, which play a significant role in inflammatory responses, and it enhanced the activity of a gene called ETS2. Using genetic editing, the research group demonstrated that ETS2 is essential for … Continue reading New Pathway Discovery Reveals Major Cause of IBD Affecting 1 in 10 in the UK – What You Need to Know