New research identifies the molecular pathway that causes the enigmatic food allergy eosinophillic esophagitis (EoE), opening the prospect of treatment.
The team of US researchers analysed 2.5 million genetic variants in thousands of individuals with and without EoE for the study.
They identified a pathway specific to tissue in the oesophagus involving a gene called CAPN14, which codes for an enzyme involved in the disease process called “calpain 14”.
CAPN14 was found to have significantly increased expression in patients with EoE.
The discovery provides the potential for a treatment strategy for the chronic inflammatory disease, as caplain 14 can already be targeted and inhibited by drugs.
Read more at Cincinatti Children's Hospital Medical Centre