Natural variation in toxicity of wheat: potential for selection of nontoxic varieties for celiac disease patients.
OBJECTIVE
Celiac disease (CD) is an intestinal disorder caused by T-cell responses to peptides derived from the gluten proteins present in wheat. Such peptides have been found both in the gliadin and glutenin proteins in gluten. The only cure for CD is a lifelong gluten-free diet. It is unknown, however, if all wheat varieties are equally harmful for patients. We investigated whether wheat varieties exist with a natural low number of T-cell-stimulatory epitopes.


METHODS
Gluten proteins present in public databases were analyzed for the presence of T-cell-stimulatory sequences. In addition, wheat accessions from diploid (AA, SS/BB, and DD genomes), tetraploid (AABB), and hexaploid (AABBDD) Triticum species were tested for the presence of T-cell-stimulatory epitopes in gliadins and glutenins by both T-cell and monoclonal antibody-based assays.


RESULTS
The database analysis readily identified gluten proteins that lack 1 or more of the known T-cell-stimulatory sequences. Moreover, both the T-cell- and antibody-based assays showed that a large variation exists in the amount of T-cell-stimulatory peptides present in the wheat accessions.


CONCLUSIONS
Sufficient genetic variation is present to endeavor the selection of wheat accessions that contain low amounts of T-cell-stimulatory sequences. Such materials may be used to select and breed wheat varieties suitable for consumption by CD patients, contributing to a well-balanced diet and an increase in their quality of life. Such varieties also may be useful for disease prevention in individuals at risk.
Spaenij-Dekking
Liesbeth
L
Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. e.h.a.spaenij-dekking@lumc.nl
Kooy-Winkelaar
Yvonne
Y
van Veelen
Peter
P
Drijfhout
Jan Wouter
JW
Jonker
Harry
H
van Soest
Loek
L
Smulders
Marinus J M
MJ
Bosch
Dirk
D
Gilissen
Luud J W J
LJ
Koning
Frits
F
D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000178:diet therapy*; D002999:Clone Cells; D005903:Gliadin / Q000276:immunology / Q000633:toxicity*; D005983:Glutens / Q000276:immunology / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D011123:Polyploidy; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D014908:Triticum / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000633:toxicity*
D010446:Peptide Fragments; D005983:Glutens; D005903:Gliadin