Intestinal gluten sensitivity: snapshots of an unusual autoimmune-like disease

Endotoxin in the peripheral blood during acute intestinal allograft rejection

“…LPS has many biological effects that could contribute to intestinal graft damage including: (1) activation of neutrophils to produce elastase and superoxide ions that damage endothelial cells [9], (2) increased surface expression of the adhesion molecules such as CD11-CD18 that promote the adherence of leukocytes to the endothelium [9], and ( 3 ) stimulation of macrophages to release proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-a, IL-1, and IL-6 [14,17]. TNF-a is cytotoxic to intestinal epithelial cells [3]; it also damages gut barrier function [16], activates neutrophils, stimulates procoagulant activity, and increases the expression of MHC antigens [ll]. TNF-a may play a central role in the pathogenesis of intestinal allograft rejection since treatment with anti-TNF-a antibodies has prolonged small bowel allograft survival in rats [19].…”

CD80 (B7‐1) and CD86 (B7‐2) genes and genetic susceptibility to coeliac disease

“…There is firm evidence that the intestinal injury typical of CD is mediated by the immune response (O’Farrelly & Gallagher, 1992; Mäki, 1996). It is also of interest that many autoimmune diseases, e.g.…”

Gluten Stimulation Induces an in vitro Expansion of Peripheral Blood Tγδ Cells from HLA-DQ2-Positive Subjects of Families of Patients with Celiac Disease

“…Recently, results have been accumulating that a major role in the disease could be played by T lymphocyte population-bearing Á‰ T cell receptor (TÁ‰ cells) that is well represented in normal and pathological mucosal tissues [1]. In fact it has been demonstrated that TÁ‰ cells are increased both in peripheral blood and intestinal mucosae of celiac patients even if the prevalent repertoire expressed is not yet clearly delineated [4][5][6].…”

“…The intestinal gluten sensitivity known as celiac disease (CD) is characterized by an evident involvement of the immune response similar to that observed in autoimmune diseases even if it is well known that removal of gluten from dietary regimen results in a complete healing of the mucosae and clinical resolution of the disease [1]. Several lines of evidence show that local immune response, characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of gut mucosal tissues and release of a number of cytokines, guides the immunological mechanisms of the disease [2,3].…”