Biocruces scientists identified 1,500 genes altered by the intolerance to gluten gluten-free.

research genetics in the BioCruces Institute.


– the researchers of the Institute are looking for a therapy that reduces the effects of gluten in patients and that might be available in cases of exceptional, accidental intake or volunteer.

-BioCruces team has identified a gene whose modulation is able to return to normal function of the biological route.-

once proved the concept, are looking at the magnitude of the effect of the modulation of the biological route in control processes such as inflammation and cellular injury ” explains Dr. José Ramón Bilbao, responsible of the laboratory of Immunogenetics of BioCruces and leader of this research


Bilbao, June of 2011- research carried out by the BioCruces Institute in the field of celiac disease is bearing fruit. Vizcaíno Center scientists have succeeded in detecting more than 1500 genes altered by the intolerance to gluten for celiac patients. This project, led by the head of the laboratory of Immunogenetics of the Institute, Dr. José Ramón Bilbao, along with Leticia Plaza and Nora Fernandez, and whose main clinical researcher is Dr. Juan Carlos Vitoria, is intended to reduce the toxic effects of gluten in the gluten-free, modulating the intensity of inflammation in the gut, so reduction in symptoms associated with the ingestion of gluten.

is to find a complementary therapy that may be available to celíacas for cases of exceptional gluten ingestion (accidental or voluntary) ”, explains Dr. Bilbao. Therefore scientists departed that base there must be many genes altered by exposure to gluten, and we are dealing with your ID at the beginning of this project ”.

using expression microarrays, analysed all the genes in the genome to detect changes in function which occurred by effect of gluten, comparing biopsy of celiac patients taken to the diagnosis, they were taken after two years of diet free of gluten. thus identified more than 1,500 altered genes, which could group in biological processes more complex (growth and cell death, communication between cells, etc.) potentially relevant to the development of the disease ”, points Bilbao.

in one of these biological pathways, the BioCruces team has managed to identify a gene whose modulation is able to return to normal function of the biological route. The group is currently doing a more comprehensive study of all of the altered biological path and its consequences, testing the effects of modulation in exposures to different amounts and times of incubation of gluten. To do this, perform experiments with leftover debris from biopsies of celiac people and crops of cellular models of intestino delgado.

could say that once proved the concept, we are looking at the magnitude of the effect of the modulation of the biological route in control processes such as inflammation and cellular injury ”, outlines the leader of the research, which adds that is a slow process ”. In fact, BioCruces experts do not expect to test therapies on animals for two years, then start to test trials in people.