HSPA6 is an ulcerative colitis susceptibility factor that is induced by cigarette smoke and protects intestinal epithelial cells by stabilizing anti-apoptotic Bcl-XL

HSPA6 is a cigarette smoke-induced UC-susceptibility gene. The HSPA6 risk locus is associated with decreased HSPA6 expression. HSPA6 provides epithelial protection by stabilizing anti-apoptotic Bcl-XL, thereby contributing to the beneficial effect of cigarette smoking in UC.