Bacterial exposure has been identified as a potential environmental risk factor in developing celiac disease, a hereditary autoimmune-like condition that affects about one in 70 Australians.
Bacterial exposure has been identified as a potential environmental risk factor in developing celiac disease, a hereditary autoimmune-like condition that affects about one in 70 Australians.
It is estimated that half of all Australians are born with one of two genes that cause celiac disease, and approximately one in 40 are likely to develop the condition. People with celiac disease must follow a lifelong gluten-free diet, as even small amounts of gluten can cause health problems.
While environmental factors are known to trigger Celiac Disease in those with the genetic predisposition, exactly how that works has remained unclear.
Scientists from the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI) and ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, have now provided a molecular foundation for microbial exposure as a potential environmental factor in the development of celiac disease.
Read more at Monash University
Image: Artwork depicting the way bacterial proteins mimic gluten proteins, causing an immune response to celiac disease. (Credit: Artist in residence Erica Tandori, from the Rossjohn laboratory at Monash University)
