In an article featured on the University of Oslo Institute of Clinical Medicine’s (Faculty of Medicine) website (Research 2015), it was reported that a UiO professor and his group of researchers have discovered the cause of celiac (coeliac) disease – which cells are activated and why.
“Professor Ludvig M. Sollid and his research group found the real cause of coeliac disease. They have now been singled out as one of five world-leading research teams at UiO, and will receive substantial funding for their international work.
Between 1% and 2% of Norwegians have coeliac disease. This is a partly hereditary disease that may place considerable strain on patients and their families. If you develop the disease, you have to change your diet and live with the disease for the rest of your life.
The immune system of patients with coeliac disease reacts to gluten proteins from cereal grains, causing inflammation of the mucous membrane of the small intestine. This reaction to gluten causes the immune system of coeliac patients to attack their own body.”
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Microscopy image of the small intestine mucosa of a patient with active celiac disease. Photo: Ann-Christin Røberg Beitnes“The T-lymphocytes, or T-cells, are a particular type of white blood corpuscle that is important to the immune system. The T-cells monitor cells for viral or bacterial infections. They detect infections by finding remnants of viruses or bacteria as fragments bound to HLAs. If any are detected, the immune system will ensure that the infected cell is killed.
The T-cells of people with coeliac disease think gluten is a virus or bacterium, and therefore cause an immune reaction that we experience as an infection, with associated discomfort”, says Sollid.”
Read entire article HERE.
