Question

Explain the pathogenesis of celiac’s disease

Answer 1

Ans) Celiac disease:

- It is an autoimmune disorder that occurs in response to dietary gluten.

- Dietary gluten is present in wheat, rye and barley and is common in foods such as bread, pasta, cookies, and cakes.

Pathogenesis of celiac disease:

• In the immunological theory of the pathogenesis of celiac disease, Gluten, or a component, is viewed as the antigen responsible for the immune response.

• Distinct autoantibodies targeting members of the TG family (TG2, TG3 and TG6) are found deposited in small-bowel mucosa and in extraintestinal tissues affected by the disease.

• Serum autoantibodies against other self-antigens also emerge in untreated celiac disease patients.

• There is an abnormality of small intestinal mucosa manifested by contact with gluten or wheat.

• Celiac disease-specific antibodies are widely used as diagnostic aids.

• Thus, Gluten-induced small-bowel mucosal T-cell response is the cornerstone in the pathogenesis of the celiac disease.

• Also, the antigen may be presented differently to the immune system by an abnormal cell membrane.

• Increased amounts of antigen may be absorbed due to increased membrane binding or permeability, either of which could be genetically determined.

• Celiac disease may occur because the patients are immunologically hyporesponsive.

• The disease goes into remission when gluten is removed from the diet. This suggests that gluten is a major player in the pathogenesis of the disease.