AI-Powered Research Uncovers Genetic โฃLink to Crohn’s Disease & Reveals Macrophage roles in Gut Health
Researchers at the University ofโฃ california, Sanโข Diego, have utilized machine learning to pinpoint a crucial genetic connection to Crohn’s disease โadnโข illuminate theโค role of immune cells called macrophages in maintaining gut health. The โฃstudy identified 53 genes that contribute โฃto macrophage status in โInflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), offering new insights into the molecular pathways underlying gut โขhomeostasis and disease โคprogression.
Macrophages, described by UC โคSan Diego’s gajanan Katkar as “the peacekeepers” of the gut, normallyโค exist in two states: an inflammatoryโ state for fighting infection and a โnon-inflammatory state for repairing damage. A healthy gut relies on a balance between these states. The research team monitored gene expression in theseโฃ immune cells to determine which contribute to gut health and which drive inflammation.
The study focused on the NOD2 protein, known to be involved in โฃpreventingโ IBD, but whose precise function inโฃ the โcondition’s development was โpreviously unclear. Experiments conducted on โฃlab-grown cells andโ samples from healthy individuals and those with Crohn’s disease revealed that mutations disrupt โฃtheโข normal protective mechanisms of NOD2.
Crucially,the research highlighted the cooperative relationship between NOD2 and a protein called Girdin.Girdin,โฃ produced by a โspecific gene, supports the non-inflammatory macrophage state. “NOD2 functionsโฃ as the body’s infection surveillance system,” explains cellโ scientist Pradipta Ghosh at UC โขSan Diego. “When bound to girdin, it detects invading pathogens and maintains gut immune balance byโค swiftly neutralising them. Without this partnership, โthe NOD2 surveillance โsystem collapses.”โข
Without both NOD2 and Girdin,โ macrophages become excessively inflammatory in attack mode and less effective at repairing damage. The findings shed light on how thisโค breakdown contributes to the development of Crohn’s disease.
Understanding Crohn’s Disease:
Crohn’s disease is a long-term condition causing inflammation in parts of the โคdigestive system. Symptoms include stomach pain, diarrhea, weight loss, โand tiredness. While there is currently no cure, treatment focuses on controlling symptoms through medication to reduce inflammation, dietary changes, and, in severe cases, surgery.
