A team of interdisciplinary researchers at McMaster University in Canada, along with teams from the US, Australia, and Argentina, have made a breakthrough in understanding how the reaction to gluten starts in individuals with celiac disease. It was previously believed that immune cells inside the gut exclusively triggered the inflammatory response to gluten. However, this new research reveals that the gut’s inner lining, called the epithelium, also plays a crucial role.
Dr. Elena Verdu, one of the lead researchers on the team, shared the following quote:
Demonstrating that a gut lining (“epithelium”) that expresses celiac-associated MHC class II, can also initiate the immune reaction in celiac disease, is an exciting new piece of the puzzle. Together with recent discoveries that tissue transglutaminase 2 has an epithelial origin, the results place the epithelium not only as target of immune damage in celiac disease but as active player, directing and activating the immune reaction to gluten.
What does that all mean?
Dr. Verdu’s research highlights a groundbreaking discovery in understanding celiac disease. She explains that the lining of the gut, the epithelium, isn’t just damaged by the immune system in celiac disease—it also plays an active role in triggering the immune response to gluten. This finding builds on recent research showing that a key enzyme involved in celiac disease, tissue transglutaminase 2, originates from the gut lining. Together, these discoveries suggest that the gut lining is not just a passive victim but an active participant in the immune reaction, helping to explain how celiac disease develops.
Why is this important?
This discovery could lead to new treatments that target this early stage of the immune response, potentially offering better ways to manage or even prevent celiac disease development in the future.