Evaluation of the prevalence of the coeliac disease and its genetic components in the european population

Objective

TECHNOLOGICAL PROBLEM

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune type disease characterised by intolerance to gluten (gluten is a major food ingredient extracted from cereals like wheat, rye and barley). In genetically susceptible individuals, gluten ingestion results in intestinal mucosa damage and malabsorption of essential nutrients.
The coeliac-EU cluster groups together three research programmes with complementary scientific objectives:
To establish the prevalence of oeliac disease in a large European population.
To characterise the genetic basis of this common food intolerance.
To identify factors involved in the gluten-triggered pathogenesis of mucosal damage.


EXPECTED RESULTS

The epidemiology study will :
Provide an estimate of the prevalence of oeliac disease in Europe.
Allow identification and early treatment of 'silent' oeliac people who are so far not detected.

The genetic study will :
Identify association(s) between gene(s) and the oeliac disease.
Clarify the contribution of the HLA genetic components and their association with other (non-HLA) genetic markers.

The pathogenesis study will :
Characterise features of damage in the oeliac mucosa.
Provide information on factors involved in the pathogenesis of mucosal damage, in particular on T cells involvement.


APPLICATIONS

A new simple serological diagnostic test, suitable for large population screening and allowing an easier and earlier detection of the disease, will be validated.
A non-invasive genetic test based on DNA analysis may potentially be developed in the future.
New therapeutic strategies, for instance based on immuno-modulation, may potentially be developed in the future.

Fields of science

• natural sciences › biological sciences › genetics › DNA
• medical and health sciences › health sciences › public health › epidemiology
• agricultural sciences › agriculture, forestry, and fisheries › agriculture › grains and oilseeds › cereals

Programme(s)

• FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002

Topic(s)

• 1.1.1.-1. - Key action Food, Nutrition and Health

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

AMYLUM-BELGIUM NV

Address

10,burchstraat 10
9300 Aalst
Belgium

Participants (14)

EUROSPITAL S.P.A.

Italy

Address

Via Flavia 122
34147 Trieste

FINNISH RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE

Finland

Address

Kivihaantie 7
00310 Helsinki

GOETEBORG UNIVERSITY

Sweden

Address

Vasaparken
405 30 Goeteborg

GSF-RESEARCH CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH

Germany

Address

Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1
85764 Neuherberg

INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA SANTE ET DE LA RECHERCHE MEDICALE

France

Address

Rue De Tolbiac, 101
75654 Paris

KING'S COLLEGE LONDON

United Kingdom

Address

Strand
WC2R 2LS London

QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY OF BELFAST

United Kingdom

Address

BT7 1NN Belfast

THE MATHILDA AND TERENCE KENNEDY INSTITUTE OF RHEUMATOLOGY

United Kingdom

Address

1,aspenlea Road 1 Hammersmith
W6 7LH London

UNIVERSITA POLITECNICA DELLE MARCHE

Italy

Address

Via Corridoni 11 Ospedale Salesi
60123 Ancona

UNIVERSITY OF ERLANGEN-NUREMBERG

Germany

Address

Egerlandstrasse 1
91058 Erlangen

UNIVERSITY OF OSLO

Norway

Address

27,pilestredet 32 Rikshospitalet
0027 Oslo

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON

United Kingdom

Address

Tremoda Road - Southampton General Hospital
SO16 6YD Southampton

UNIVERSITY OF TAMPERE

Finland

Address

Kalevantie 4
33014 Tampere

Links

Università degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II'

Italy

Address

Corso Umberto I 34
80138 Napoli

Links