Isolation and Cloning of Gluten-Specific T Cells in Celiac Disease.
In patients with celiac disease, but not in healthy controls, gluten-specific CD4 T cells are present in the small intestinal lamina propria. Specific stimulation of these T cells due to gluten consumption leads to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, in particular IFNγ and IL-21. This leads to tissue damage, the typical morphological alterations like the flattening of the intestinal epithelium, and a variety of disease-associated symptoms including malnutrition, diarrhea, stomach ache, and failure to thrive. Removal of gluten from the diet eliminates the trigger for these CD4 T cells and leads to recovery. These CD4 T cells thus play a crucial role in the disease pathogenesis. Here we describe how such T cells can be isolated and characterized.
Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre, E3-Q, 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands. e.m.c.kooy-winkelaar@lumc.nl.
Yvonne
Y
Kooy-Winkelaar
Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre, E3-Q, 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands. f.koning@lumc.nl.
Frits
F
Koning
D002999:Clone Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D003470:Culture Media; D005983:Glutens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*
D003470:Culture Media; D005983:Glutens
CD4 T cells; Celiac disease; Gluten; HLA-DQ2; HLA-DQ8