British researchers last night unveiled new genetic clues to the causes of a deadly liver disease.
Some 15 genetic regions linked to primary biliary cirrhosis have been discovered, it was announced – adding to seven previously unearthed.
The disease affects 35 out of every 100,000 adults – but is three times as common among women over the age of 45.
The findings link the disease to other auto-immune diseases such as multiple sclerosis – pointing to at least three genetic mechanisms linked to the immune system.
Some 2,500 patients took part in the research and were compared with 7,500 healthy people.
Researcher Dr Carl Anderson, from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, said: "This study is a key first step in our efforts to unravel the biological complexity of primary biliary cirrhosis and further research building on these results is already under way."
Fellow researcher Dr George Mells, from Cambridge University, said the findings were "exciting".
He said: "It provides new and meaningful insight into the biological origins of this condition.
"By working together, we have recruited almost one in six primary biliary cirrhosis patients in the UK; completed the largest genome-wide association study of primary biliary cirrhosis to date and established a research consortium that will form the foundation of further clinical, genetic and therapeutic studies."
Collette Thain, chief executive of the Primary Biliary Cirrhosis Foundation, said: "For us, it means hope – one step towards understanding how best to treat and cure. It is a testament to the perseverance and ingenuity of all the scientists who worked on this project."
Genome-wide association study identifies 12 susceptibility loci for primary biliary cirrhosis.Mells GF, Floyd JAB, Morley KI et al. Nature Genetics. March 14 2011 doi: 10.1038/ng.789
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