Hay Fever Risk Genes Overlap with Autoimmune Disease

Genetic commonality with autoimmune diseases In the study, the researchers also found an overlap between risk genes for hay fever and risk genes for autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. As with allergies, the number of people with autoimmune diseases has risen sharply in recent years. According to Klaus Bønnelykke, the overlap of genes can help explain why. “Our study helps identify genetic commonalities which may be a key to understanding why these illnesses are all on the rise. It seems there are some common factors in the western lifestyle that are causing these illnesses to become more widespread, but we haven’t yet understood why. The genetic overlap we have observed seems to suggest that it is the same genes that trigger these illnesses, at least in part. This is important information when trying to understand the mechanisms and causes. It may matter not just to understanding hay fever but also to understanding autoimmune diseases”, says Klaus Bønnelykke. https://www.technologynetworks.com/genomics/news/hay-fever-risk-genes-identified-306334?utm_campaign=Newsletter_TN_BreakingScienceNews&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=64530207&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9hj4vY3QGoixJe-v6AjNUlMwFPK7BQz7iqpyr_GLWV8yPZcbdIvJLGykuUgnasRgsJ0bnHqCP8EUmdipRmn1ElMSzpdA&_hsmi=64530207