Toward an explanation for Crohn’s disease?
From: McGill University Press Release: Toward an explanation for Crohn’s disease?
An innovative study at the Research Institute of the MUHC has brought us closer to an explanation for Crohn’s disease
Montreal, July 9th 2009 – Twenty-five per cent of Crohn’s disease patients have a mutation in what is called the NOD2 gene, but it is not precisely known how this mutation influences the disease. The latest study by Dr. Marcel Behr, of the Research Institute of the MUHC and McGill University, has provided new insight into how this might occur. The study will be published on July 9th in the Journal of Experimental Medicine.
When the NOD2 gene functions normally, it codes for a receptor that will recognize invading bacteria and then trigger the immune response. This study demonstrates that the NOD2 receptor preferentially recognizes a peptide called N-glycolyl-MDP, which is only found in a specific family of bacteria called mycobacteria. When mycobacteria invade the human body, they cause an immediate and very strong immune response via the NOD2 receptor.
“Now that we have a better understanding of the normal role of NOD2, we think that a mutation in this gene prevents mycobacteria from being properly recognized by the immune system,” explained Dr. Behr. “If mycobacteria are not recognized, the body cannot effectively fight them off and then becomes persistently infected.”
Researchers were already aware of the relationship between mycobacteria and Crohn’s disease, but they did not know whether the presence of bacteria was a cause or a consequence of the disease. This new discovery associates the predisposition for Crohn’s disease with both the NOD2 mutation and the presence of mycobacteria, but researchers must still determine the precise combination of these factors to understand how the disease develops.
More research is required to establish a complete explanation. From this, it is expected that new therapeutic approaches that fight the cause of Crohn’s disease may be developed
Alan: Great work!…so glad to have found your website, The Crohnie…I followed your research through PARA, as early as 15-20 years ago when my daughter Cathy, 42 was first diagnosed with Crohns…she’s been stable with Asacol + MP-6 + Remicade infusions, but when she goes OFF the first two meds, the Remicade only doesn’t seem to hold her crohns down, so she has a flare-up…that’s my diagnosis…am trying to reach her Doc for corroboration…Am trying to get her mother to follow this line of research also…If I trusted PayPal, I’d send a donation…let me hear from you—I’m an advocate of what you’re doing…what’s happpened to http://www.crohns.org in the US? No info posted there since 2004?–Peter Bray, Benicia, CA PetrBray@AOL.com
Hi Alan, on thursday 3rd December 2009, the ACMSF meets in London to hear a presentation regarding the recent UK MAP Dairy Herd Prevalence survey. The meeting is public and if anyone wants to go and make comments or ask questions, or just listen, you have to contact ACMSF secretary by friday 27 november.
The report has not been published yet, but when it is they say there is going to be a joint statement by Health Department, DEFRA and FSA. It is going to be a landmark report in the history of the crohns Map. Has the UK eradicated Johnes from the Dairy herd? We should know in less than two weeks!