title: Antibodies in celiac disease: implications beyond diagnostics.
abstract: Celiac disease is a multisystemic dietary, gluten-induced autoimmune disorder characterized by the presence of transglutaminase (TG) 2 serum autoantibodies. Distinct autoantibodies targeting members of the TG family (TG2, TG3 and TG6) are found deposited in small-bowel mucosa and in extraintestinal tissues affected by the disease. Serum autoantibodies against other self-antigens also emerge in untreated celiac disease patients. Although villous atrophy and crypt hyperplasia in small-bowel biopsy samples are still the gold standards in diagnostics, celiac disease-specific antibodies are widely used as diagnostic aids. Gluten-induced small-bowel mucosal T-cell response is the cornerstone in the pathogenesis of the disorder, but humoral immunity may also play a central role. This review article is focused on the autoantibodies that occur in the context of celiac disease. The article summarizes the diagnostic utility of different celiac-related antibodies and discusses their roles in the pathogenesis of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Research Centre, University of Tampere and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caja
authors.forename: Markku
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mäki
authors.forename: Katri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaukinen
authors.forename: Katri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lindfors
mesh_terms: D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D001323:Autoantibodies