title: Anti-transglutaminase 6 antibodies in children and young adults with cerebral palsy.
abstract: Objectives. We have previously reported a high prevalence of gluten-related serological markers (GRSM) in children and young adults with cerebral palsy (CP). The majority had no enteropathy to suggest coeliac disease (CD). Antibodies against transglutaminase 6 (anti-TG6) represent a new marker associated with gluten-related neurological dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of anti-TG6 antibodies in this group of individuals with an early neurological injury resulting in CP. Materials and Methods. Sera from 96 patients with CP and 36 controls were analysed for IgA/IgG class anti-TG6 by ELISA. Results. Anti-TG6 antibodies were found in 12/96 (13%) of patients with CP compared to 2/36 (6%) in controls. The tetraplegic subgroup of CP had a significantly higher prevalence of anti-TG6 antibodies 6/17 (35%) compared to the other subgroups and controls. There was no correlation of anti-TG6 autoantibodies with seropositivity to food proteins including gliadin. Conclusions. An early brain insult and associated inflammation may predispose to future development of TG6 autoimmunity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Centre for Rehabilitation Research and Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, 70185 Örebro, Sweden.
authors.forename: Reidun
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stenberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Department of Neuroradiology, The Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield S10 2JF, UK.
authors.forename: Marios
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hadjivassiliou
authors.affiliation: Matrix Biology & Tissue Repair Research Unit, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XY, UK.
authors.forename: Pascale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aeschlimann
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Department of Neuroradiology, The Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield S10 2JF, UK.
authors.forename: Nigel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hoggard
authors.affiliation: Matrix Biology & Tissue Repair Research Unit, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XY, UK.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Aeschlimann