#gene polymorphism

T cells may be best known for their roles in fighting infections and killing cancer cells. But the immune system also has several mechanisms in place to counterbalance those responses to prevent out-of-control inflammation that could damage healthy tissue. Tregs are one aspect of this balancing act. Tregs may be viewed as the health and safety inspectors of the immune system. They’re really…

Genetics on migraine: there are loci for types, gender and pathways “way over your head”

Migraine is a very common condition affecting over a billion patients worldwide. The exact cause of migraine is unknown, but it is believed to be a neurovascular disorder with pathological mechanisms both within the brain and the blood vessels of the head. As migraines are the second most important factor in years of living with disabilities globally, there is clearly a great need for new…

Delving genetics in nephrology: heredity unhinges while diet could rescue?

About 12.5 million people worldwide have autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a condition caused by mutations in one of two genes, PKD1 or PKD2. It is the fourth leading cause of kidney failure in the United States, with around 600,000 cases. These mutations cause dilation of the kidney tubules, the tubes that filter blood and generate urine, forming cysts that grossly enlarge the…