Identifying the Celiac Genes
Two chromosomal mutations, known as HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8, are commonly associated with celiac disease.
By definition, HLA (human leukocyte antigen) is a cellular protein which triggers an immune response. With celiac disease, aberrations in the HLA coding can cause the immune system to go haywire in the presence of gluten and attack cells of the small intestine.
Despite the fact that HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 are both linked to this effect, having the mutation doesn't necessarily mean that you'll get the disease. In fact, as many as 40 percent of the U.S. population have these mutations, mostly in people of European descent. Of those who do carry the mutation, only around 1 to 4 percent will go on to develop the disease in their adult.
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