Gliadin- and immunoglobulin-containing cells of small intestinal lamina propria in childhood coeliac disease

Abstract

Abstract. One hundred twenty-five small intestinal biopsies of coeliac children and controls were investigated prospectively for gliadin binding by specific immunofluorescent staining of lamina propria cells, using a TRITC rabbit IgG antigliadinconjugate. In parallel, sera were investigated for serum gliadin antibodies by a red cell immunosorbent fluorescence test (RIFT). There was no epithelial or reticulin staining found with antigliadin. Exclusively in coeliac disease, i.e. in all active coeliacs, and in 71% of coeliacs on a gluten-free diet, gliadinand immunoglobulin-containing cells were detected. Among these, there was a relatively higher proportion of IgM-and IgGcontaining cells, compared to IdA. They are possibly involved in a local B-cell reaction to gliadin. Their absolute numbers per mucosal tissue unit were small. There was no correlation found between serum gliadin antibody titres of different immunoglobulin classes, and the respective local gliadin-and immunoglobulin-containing cells. It is concluded that lamina propria cells are not a main source of serum gliadin antibodies. Pathogenetic and diagnostic consequences of these data await further clarification.

The changing immunological paradigm in coeliac disease

“…In a preliminary study of an untreated adult patient, we detected by indirect immunofluorescence staining of jejunal tissue sections a small fraction of PCs with specificity for gliadin peptides, and about 60% of these were of the IgA class [35]; interestingly, a much larger proportion of the total IgG than of the total IgA PC population was positive (5.7% versus 1.6%). Another preliminary immunofluorescence study based on intestinal specimens from children with coeliac disease indicated gliadin specificity in 11, 10.5, and 6.5% of the jejunal IgG + , IgM + , and IgA + PCs, respectively [44].…”

Influence of Gliadin on Fetal Chick Intestine in Tissue Culture

“…Gly coproteins from the mature villus zone showed only a very slight ability to bind glu ten, whereas binding was higher in the inter mediate zone between villous and crypt cells, and became maximal in the immature cryp tic cells [15]. Other investigators, however, were not able to demonstrate specific or pre ferred binding of gliadin to coeliac mucosal epithelium [17,18]. Further experiments are necessary to elucidate the mechanism of glia din action on the fetal intestine.…”

Small intestinal mucosa in coeliac disease and cow's milk protein intolerance: Morphometric and immunofluorescent studies

“…Thus, a specific pattern of relative proportions of Ig-containing cells of lamina propria was found in CD and in CMPI. At least some of these reactions might be antigen-specific [42]. Changes in Ig-cell populations were shown to persist longer than histological damage in CD.…”

“…Incubations were done with working dilutions (1:100-1:10) of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) -and tetramethyl rhodamine isothiocyanate (TRITC) -labelled antisera. Specificity of these conjugates has been tested by immunodiffusion, immunoelectrophoresis, and immunofluorescence using immunoglobulin-coupled human red cells [42].…”