Production of the Main Celiac Disease Autoantigen by Transient Expression in Nicotiana benthamiana.

Celiac Disease (CD) is a gluten sensitive enteropathy that remains widely undiagnosed and implementation of massive screening tests is needed to reduce the long term complications associated to untreated CD. The main CD autoantigen, human tissue transglutaminase (TG2), is a challenge for the different expression systems available since its cross-linking activity affects cellular processes. Plant-based transient expression systems can be an alternative for the production of this protein.

Transglutaminase 2 expression is enhanced synergistically by interferon-γ and tumour necrosis factor-α in human small intestine.

Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is expressed ubiquitously, has multiple physiological functions and has also been associated with inflammatory diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmunity and cancer. In particular, TG2 is expressed in small intestine mucosa where it is up-regulated in active coeliac disease (CD). The aim of this work was to investigate the induction of TG2 expression by proinflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ and IL-15] and the signalling pathways involved, in human epithelial and monocytic cells and in intestinal tissue from controls and untreated CD patients.

Single domain antibodies are specially suited for quantitative determination of gliadins under denaturing conditions.

Food intended for celiac patients' consumption must be analyzed for the presence of toxic prolamins using high detectability tests. Though 60% ethanol is the most commonly used solvent for prolamins extraction, 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) and guanidinium chloride (GuHCl) can be added to increase protein recovery. However, ethanol and denaturing agents interfere with antigen recognition when conventional antibodies are used.

Pathogen-specific TLR signaling in mucosa: mutual contribution of microbial TLR agonists and virulence factors.

Detection of microorganisms through microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMP) by Toll-like receptors (TLR) is crucial to trigger protective immunity. In the mucosa, sentinel cells are exposed to MAMP from both pathogens and commensals; however, the TLR response is tightly controlled to avoid inflammation in response to commensals. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) trigger innate responses during urinary tract infection in a TLR4-dependent and CD14-independent manner.