April 26, 2016.
Crohn’s disease, an inflammation of the intestine which can have dramatic consequences for the patient, could be regulated or treated by new therapeutic means.
Crohn’s disease: regulating the autophagy mechanism
We know today: Crohn’s disease is caused by an abnormal reaction of the immune system, which irritates the intestine. Researchers from Inserm Clermont-Ferrand discovered that 40% of patients were invaded by Escherichia Coli bacteria, naturally present in the intestine, of course, but in far too large numbers in these patients. It is this proliferation of E.Coli which would be the cause, or one of the causes, of the inflammation in these patients.
The body is normally able to regulate the number of E. Coli in the intestine, through an autophagy mechanism (bacteria are swallowed by cells of the immune system), but until now, it was not understood why this mechanism was not activated in some patients.
Activate the immune system to limit E.Coli
Eureka: Inserm researchers have found how this autophagy mechanism is triggered. It is stimulated by a signal emitted by the body in certain circumstances, signal called “EIF2AK4-EIF2A / eIF2a-ATF4”! When this signal is absent, E.Coli proliferates. Conversely, when this signal is activated, the proliferation of bacteria is regulated.
The problem is, it is not enough to activate the signal to solve the problem. It is feared that “forced” activation of “EIF2AK4-EIF2A / eIF2a-ATF4” causes side effects. This is what Inserm researchers, and others in France and around the world, will now have to determine.
Read also: Diseases of the digestive system
