William Atkins
Friday, 23 July 2010 00:12
Science -
Biology
Page 1 of 3
Australian/U.K. scientists have identified the molecular material that causes celiac disease in some humans. They hope the discovery will lead to a drug to control the disease that prevents such people from eating gluten-based foods.
The researchers from Australia and the United Kingdom have found three protein fragments found in the gluten of wheat, rye, and barley that may cause the immune response to gluten in those people that are genetically predisposed to celiac disease (or, coeliac disease).
Celiac disease is an intestinal illness that damages the small intestine. It is estimated to affect up to one in 133 people in the United States. The disease is found throughout the world.
Most people digest gluten easily. However, people with celiac disease have a negative response to gluten.
Consequently, they have to stringently avoid foods and beverages, such as most breads, cereals, pasta, and beer, which contain gluten.
Gluten consists of two proteins—gliadin an glutenin—that is found in grass-related grains, such as wheat, rye, and barley.
When eaten by people sensitive to gluten, it damages the walls of their small intestine, and causes diarrhea or constipation, bloating, gas, loose stool, abdominal pain and cramping, fatigue, and other such problems.
The work of these Australian/U.K. researchers may provide a way to develop a vaccine that will help celiac disease patients tolerate foods containing gluten.
The paper that summarizes the efforts of these Australian and United Kingdom researchers is entitled “
Comprehensive, Quantitative Mapping of T Cell Epitopes in Gluten in Celiac Disease.”
It appears in the July 21, 2010 issue of Science Translational Medicine (Sci Transl Med 21 July 2010: Vol. 2, Issue 41, p. 41ra51 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3001012.).
Page two continues with specific information on the study about celiac disease and what causes it.
