British researchers are celebrating the discovery of a host of genes linked to the problem of childhood arthritis.
The Manchester University researchers have reported some 14 new genes linked to the disease. Until now only three genes were known to be linked to it.
Doctors say the discoveries will help classify the disease, allowing treatments to be tailored to sub-types of disease.
Researchers compared the genes of 2,000 children with arthritis with those from healthy volunteers for the research, reported in Nature Genetics.
Researcher Dr Anne Hinks said: "Childhood arthritis, also known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis, is a specific type of arthritis quite separate from types found in adults and there’s been only a limited amount of research into this area in the past.
"This study set out to look for specific risk factors. To identify these 14 genetic risk factors is quite a big breakthrough. It will help us to understand what’s causing the condition, how it progresses and then to potentially develop new therapies.”
The discovery was welcomed by Arthritis UK, which helped to fund it.
Medical director Professor Alan Silman said: "We have known for some time that there is a strong genetic contribution to a child’s risk of developing arthritis, however previously only three genetic risk factors had been identified.
"This study is the largest genetic investigation of JIA to date and has identified 14 new risk regions, adding a significant amount to our knowledge of the genetic basis of this disorder.
"Further work is now required to investigate each of these regions in more detail, to enable us to understand how they are involved in disease development and identify potential new therapeutic targets."
Nature Genetics 21 April 2013
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