Hope for coeliacs after study discovers origin of gluten response

Recent research has identified the role of the upper intestine epithelium in activating the immune response in coeliac disease, a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting approximately 1% of the population. The study, led by Elena Verdu at McMaster University, reveals that epithelial cells, previously thought to play a minimal role, are crucial in alerting immune cells to gluten presence. This finding challenges the traditional view that the inflammatory response occurs solely within the gut wall and involves only immune cells. The researchers developed an organoid model of the intestinal epithelium, which demonstrated that these cells send stronger signals to immune cells when pathogens are also present. This discovery opens avenues for potential drug therapies aimed at inhibiting the epithelium's role in gluten response, which could lead to new treatments for coeliac disease. Current treatment options are limited to strict gluten elimination from the diet, which is often challenging for patients. The study's findings, published in the journal Gastroenterology, suggest that it may be possible to prevent the development of coeliac disease in at-risk individuals by targeting the interactions between gluten and the gut epithelium.

- The upper intestine epithelium plays a key role in coeliac disease immune response.

- Epithelial cells alert immune cells to gluten presence, challenging previous assumptions.

- Research opens possibilities for drug therapies to inhibit gluten response.

- Current treatment relies on strict gluten-free diets, which are difficult for patients.

- The study was published in the journal Gastroenterology.