A gene known for triggering inflammation in the skin may also quietly influence what happens in the gut.
Researchers from VIB–UGent Center for Inflammation Research in Belgium, together with teams from the University of Barcelona and University College London, have discovered that a mutation tied to psoriasis, a chronic skin condition, can also affect gut function and microbial balance.
The mutation occurs in a gene called CARD14, which activates immune responses in the skin. But when researchers modeled the same mutation in intestinal cells, they found changes in digestion and immune activity that extended far beyond the skin.
“Our study reveals that CARD14’s impact isn’t limited to the skin,” said Aigerim Aidarova, lead author from VIB–UGent. “In the intestine, this mutation leads to subtle but important changes that may contribute to subclinical intestinal symptoms in patients who carry it.”
The team found that the mutation slowed intestinal movement without damaging the gut lining. It also reduced the production of antimicrobial peptides, natural molecules that help protect the gut from infection, and lowered microbial diversity, which can make the intestine more vulnerable to harmful bacteria.
“This research broadens our understanding of how a single genetic variant can influence different organs in the body,” said Professor Rudi Beyaert, senior author of the study.
Co-author Dr. Inna Afonina added that the results also provide a valuable animal model to explore new treatments for gut inflammation and motility disorders.
The discovery highlights the growing recognition that the body’s immune and microbial systems are deeply interconnected and that inflammation in one organ can sometimes echo elsewhere.
The research was published in EMBO Molecular Medicine and supported by the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO), Ghent University, VIB, the Wellcome Trust and other European research partners.