title: A non-human primate model for gluten sensitivity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Gluten sensitivity is widespread among humans. For example, in celiac disease patients, an inflammatory response to dietary gluten leads to enteropathy, malabsorption, circulating antibodies against gluten and transglutaminase 2, and clinical symptoms such as diarrhea. There is a growing need in fundamental and translational research for animal models that exhibit aspects of human gluten sensitivity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using ELISA-based antibody assays, we screened a population of captive rhesus macaques with chronic diarrhea of non-infectious origin to estimate the incidence of gluten sensitivity. A selected animal with elevated anti-gliadin antibodies and a matched control were extensively studied through alternating periods of gluten-free diet and gluten challenge. Blinded clinical and histological evaluations were conducted to seek evidence for gluten sensitivity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When fed with a gluten-containing diet, gluten-sensitive macaques showed signs and symptoms of celiac disease including chronic diarrhea, malabsorptive steatorrhea, intestinal lesions and anti-gliadin antibodies. A gluten-free diet reversed these clinical, histological and serological features, while reintroduction of dietary gluten caused rapid relapse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gluten-sensitive rhesus macaques may be an attractive resource for investigating both the pathogenesis and the treatment of celiac disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Bethune
authors.forename: Juan T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Borda
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ribka
authors.forename: Michael-Xun
authors.initials: MX
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Kathrine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Phillippi-Falkenstein
authors.forename: Ronald J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Jandacek
authors.forename: Gaby G M
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Doxiadis
authors.forename: Gary M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: Chaitan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Khosla
authors.forename: Karol
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sestak
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D002446:Celiac Disease; D005903:Gliadin / Q000276:immunology; D005983:Glutens / Q000276:immunology; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D023421:Models, Animal; D021182:Wheat Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000178:diet therapy
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D005983:Glutens; D005903:Gliadin