Genetic regions linked to arthritis identified

January 12, 2010 |10:00 | Genetics By : Team X

A new study has identified six genetic regions associated with a common type of arthritis called ankylosing spondylitis, an international consortium jointly led by Oxford University reports in the journal Nature Genetics. Two genes in particular show a strong connection with the disease, a release from the Oxford University said.

They are both involved in inflammatory processes in the body, which can now be investigated as targets for developing better treatments for ankylosing spondylitis. Currently little is known about the causes of ankylosing spondylitis and the best available treatment is expensive and only provides symptom relief rather than being a cure.

"We have identified regions of our DNA that are strongly associated with susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis," says Professor Paul Wordsworth of Oxford University's Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, and one of the lead researchers of the study. He said, "We knew there was a strong genetic component to this disease, and we now have the foundation we need for future research to pin down the genetic causes of this condition."

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