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DNA link to asthma

A study involving thousands of people has revealed two distinct DNA areas in asthma patients.

“Two regions of the DNA were consistently different between asthmatics and non-asthmatics: one in the interleukin-6 receptor (IL6R) gene on chromosome 1, and the other [region] near a gene called GARP on chromosome 11,” one of the study authprs said.

The IL6R gene is involved in the immune system and inflammation. Asthmatic patients were found to produce more IL6R, contributing to airway inflammation.

The results could aid in the development of new drug treatments for people with asthma.

Read more at The Lancet

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