Effects of gliadin stimulation on bone marrow-derived dendritic cells from HLA-DQ8 transgenic MICE

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Gliadin presentation by HLA-DQ2/8 molecules to T cells plays a crucial role in triggering the inflammatory cascade in coeliac disease. We aimed to study the immunological effects of gliadin stimulation on dendritic cells (DCs) from HLA-DQ8 transgenic and BALB/c mice. METHODS: Bone marrow-derived DCs were stimulated with alpha-chymotrypsin-digested gliadin or ovoalbumin (100mug/ml). Modification of DC maturation, through HLA-DQ8 and MHC class II expression, and activation, by CD80 and CD86, was assessed by flow cytometry. The ability of pulsed and unpulsed DCs to prime T cells was evaluated by mixed leucocyte reaction. The expression of interleukin-4, -10, -12p70 and interferon-alpha, as well as of Toll-like receptor-4, -7, -8, -9 was determined by ELISA and real-time RT-PCR, respectively. RESULTS: Gliadin stimulation induced DC maturation (p