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TNF-α, IL-17, and IL-22 production in the rectal mucosa of nonceliac wheat sensitivity patients: role of adaptive immunity.

Authors :
Mansueto P
Di Liberto D
Fayer F
Soresi M
Geraci G
Giannone AG
Seidita A
D'Alcamo A
La Blasca F
Lo Pizzo M
Florena AM
Dieli F
Carroccio A
Source :
American journal of physiology. Gastrointestinal and liver physiology [Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol] 2020 Sep 01; Vol. 319 (3), pp. G281-G288. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Jul 13.
Publication Year :
2020

Abstract

In recent years, a new gluten- or wheat-related disease has emerged, a condition labeled "nonceliac gluten sensitivity" (NCGS) or "nonceliac wheat sensitivity" (NCWS). NCWS pathogenesis is still uncertain and attributed to very different mechanisms. We aimed to study the different T-lymphocyte subsets in the rectal mucosa of NCWS patients to demonstrate the possible contribution of adaptative immune response. Twelve patients (11 women, 1 man, age range 23-61 yr, median 32 yr) with a definitive diagnosis of NCWS were recruited at random for the present study. They underwent rectal endoscopy with multiple mucosal biopsies at the end of a double-blind placebo-controlled (DBPC) wheat challenge when they reported the reappearance of the symptoms. As controls we included 11 "healthy patients", sex- and age-matched with the patients who underwent colonoscopy evaluation for rectal bleeding due to hemorrhoids. Cells freshly obtained from rectal tissue were stained to detect anti-CD45, anti-CD3, anti-CD4, and anti-CD8. Furthermore, intracellular staining was performed with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, anti-interleukin (IL)-17, and anti-IL-22. Production of TNF-α by CD45 <superscript>+</superscript> , CD3 <superscript>+</superscript> , CD4 <superscript>+</superscript> , and CD8 <superscript>+</superscript> cells, as well as of IL-17 by CD4 <superscript>+</superscript> cells, was higher in the rectal tissue of NCWS patients than in controls. On the contrary, IL-22 production by CD8 <superscript>+</superscript> cells was lower in NCWS patients than in the controls. In NCWS patients diagnosed by DBPC wheat challenge, there is a complex immunological activation, with a significant role for the adaptive response. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Nonceliac wheat sensitivity (NCWS) is a syndrome characterized by symptoms triggered by gluten intake. The pathogenesis is still uncertain. Studies have shown a role for innate immunity. We demonstrated that production of TNF-α by CD45 <superscript>+</superscript> , CD3 <superscript>+</superscript> , CD4 <superscript>+</superscript> , and CD8 <superscript>+</superscript> cells and of IL-17 by CD4 <superscript>+</superscript> cells is higher in the rectal tissue of NCWS patients than in controls. We clearly demonstrated that in patients with NCWS there is a significant role for the adaptive response.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1522-1547
Volume :
319
Issue :
3
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
American journal of physiology. Gastrointestinal and liver physiology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
32658621
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpgi.00104.2020