Scientists at the University of Michigan Medical School has conducted studies on 11 pairs of monozygotic twins which are genetically identical but one of them suffers from rheumatoid arthritis.
The researchers compared gene expression patterns of each twin and found that three genes where significantly over-expressed in the rheumatoid arthritis suffers when compared to their healthy twin. The three genes were not known to be associated with the disease before.
Because monozygotic twins start out with nearly identical genetic information, scientists stated that the differences in the expression of the genes were caused by environmental factors that modify DNA. They also stated that using identical twins represented the best experimental system to address how two patients can have the same genes but different disease outcomes.
The first over-expressed gene codes for a protein called laeverin. Scientists hypothesize that this would promote tissue damage of the joint in the rheumatoid arthritis sufferer. The second gene over-expressed codes for a protein that helps deactivates the hormone cortisol which is involved in anti-inflammatory effects. The third gene codes for Cyr61, which is used in a process that recruits new blood vessels which is needed in the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis.
Associate professor at the University of Michigan Medical School , Joseph Holoshitz stated that, “The newly discovered genes provide important insights into the nature of the disease and facilitate the design of novel treatment strategies for rheumatoid arthritis”.
Sources:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/07/060726091919.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin
Ibrahim Sedic 41294101
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