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

Publisher： Karger

E-ISSN： 1421-9948|15|1|46-55

ISSN： 0254-9670

Source： Experimental and Clinical Immunogenetics, Vol.15, Iss.1, 1998-05, pp. : 46-55

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Abstract

The intestinal gluten sensitivity formally known as celiac disease (CD) is characterized by an evident involvement of local immune response and it is associated with the expression of HLA-DQ2 allele. The major role in the disease seems to be played by the T lymphocyte population bearing γδ T cell receptor (Tγδ cells) which are increased both in peripheral blood and intestinal mucosae of celiac patients. In this paper data on the effects of in vitro gluten stimulation on lymphocytes expressing the Tγδ phenotype are reported. Gluten seems to be able to induce the expansion of the Tγδ cell population both in CD patients and their HLA-DQ2-positive asymptomatic relatives, in spite of the absence of clinical evidence of the disease. In addition, the evaluation of gluten-induced cytokine production shows that interleukin-4 could be implied in the early phases of pathogenesis of CD.