Parallels between pathogens and gluten peptides in celiac sprue.

摘要: Pathogens are exogenous agents capable of causing disease in susceptible organisms. In celiac sprue, a triggered by partially hydrolyzed gluten peptides the small intestine, offending immunotoxins cannot replicate, but otherwise have many hallmarks classical pathogens. First, dietary and its peptide metabolites ubiquitous components modern diet, yet only small, genetically fraction human population contracts sprue. Second, immunotoxic certain unusual structural features that allow them to survive harsh proteolytic conditions gastrointestinal tract thereby interact extensively with mucosal lining intestine. Third, they invade across epithelial barriers intact access underlying gut-associated lymphoid tissue. Fourth, possess recognition sequences for selective modification an endogenous enzyme, transglutaminase 2, allowing situ activation more form via host subversion. Fifth, precipitate T cell–mediated immune reaction comprising both innate adaptive responses causes chronic inflammation Sixth, complete elimination from diet results remission, whereas reintroduction relapse. Therefore, analogy antibiotics, orally administered proteases reduce host's exposure immunotoxin accelerating destruction considerable therapeutic potential. Last not least, notwithstanding power vitro methods reconstitute essence response patient, animal models disease, while elusive, likely yield fundamentally new systems-level insights.