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" Scientists have identified two new genes that appear to play an important role in a form of inflammatory arthritis called ankylosing spondylitis. The genes, ANTXR2 and IL1R2, were discovered by an international team which was jointly led by Oxford University. As well as these genes, the researchers pinpointed two segments of DNA between genes on chromosomes two and 21 which are also associated with the disease. Professor Paul Wordsworth, from Oxford University&amp;#039;s Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, confirmed: &amp;#039;We have identified regions of our DNA that are strongly associated with susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis.&amp;#039; The researchers added that the discovery, which is published in Nature Genetics journal, provides &amp;#039;the foundation we need for future research to pin down the genetic causes of this condition&amp;#039;. Ankylosing spondylitis is a disease that causes inflammation in the joints of the spine. As this inflammation decreases, new bone tissue starts to grow out from the sides of the vertebrae so that they join together, causing severe stiffness and discomfort. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthy-living/news/a19051/two-new-genes-involved-in-inflammatory-arthritis/>