title: IgA-class autoantibodies against neuronal transglutaminase, TG6 in celiac disease: no evidence for gluten dependency.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has been suggested that antibodies against transglutaminase (TG) 6 could serve as a biomarker to identify a subgroup of gluten-sensitive patients who may be at risk of developing neurological disease. We here investigated whether TG6-targeted autoantibodies are a characteristic feature of celiac patients, especially those with neurological symptoms, and further, whether such antibodies are gluten-dependent.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum IgA-class TG6 autoantibodies were measured in untreated and treated celiac patients with and without neurological manifestions and in non-celiac controls. The results were compared to TG2 autoantibody levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During a gluten-containing diet the number of TG6 autoantibody-positive celiac patients with neurological problems (25%) did not significantly differ from that of TG6-seropositive patients without neurological impairment (16%) or from non-celiac controls (15%). This was in contrast to our finding in TG2 autoantibody-positive individuals, whose numbers differed significantly between all three study groups. On a gluten-free diet the levels of TG6 autoantibodies remained unchanged.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that the serum IgA-class TG6 autoantibody assay is not able to distinguish gluten-sensitive patients with neurological manifestations from celiac patients without neurological problems or from control subjects, and further, that TG6 autoantibodies are not gluten-dependent.
authors: Pediatric Research Center, University of Tampere and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.
authors: Katri
authors: K
authors: Lindfors
authors: Outi
authors: O
authors: Koskinen
authors: Kaija
authors: K
authors: Laurila
authors: Pekka
authors: P
authors: Collin
authors: Päivi
authors: P
authors: Saavalainen
authors: Katri
authors: K
authors: Haimila
authors: Jukka
authors: J
authors: Partanen
authors: Markku
authors: M
authors: Mäki
authors: Katri
authors: K
authors: Kaukinen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology; D055050:Diet, Gluten-Free; D005260:Female; D005983:Glutens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology*; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D005983:Glutens; C532876:TGM6 protein, human; D011503:Transglutaminases