Scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) have identified a gene mutation called CARD11 that led to atopic dermatitis/ eczema. Their findings were recently published in Nature Genetics (June 2017)1. Gene sequencing was performed for 8 individuals from 4 families, and the researchers found that although each family had a distinct mutation affecting a different region of the CARD11 protein, each mutation disrupted its normal function in T cells – an essential type of white blood cell.
The potential of this study was that glutamine may correct the defective signally mechanism of the mutated CARD11. Glutamine is available as a supplement, and the researches intend to study the effects of glutamine consumption on individuals with CARD11 mutations/ severe eczema. If the future study proved conclusive, it would open an easy therapeutics method for treating eczema!
References:
Germline hypomorphic CARD11 mutations in severe atopic disease Chi A Ma, Jeffrey R Stinson, Yuan Zhang, Jordan K Abbott, Michael A Weinreich, Pia J Hauk Nature Genetics; Jun 19, 2017 Science Daily New genetic mutations linked to eczema