Stimulatory Response of Celiac Disease Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Induced by RNAi Wheat Lines Differing in Grain Protein Composition
NUTRIENTS
Authors: Sanchez-Leon, Susana; Jose Gimenez, Maria; Comino, Isabel; Sousa, Carolina; Lopez Casado, Miguel Angel; Isabel Torres, Maria; Barro, Francisco
Abstract
Wheat gluten proteins are responsible for the bread-making properties of the dough but also for triggering important gastrointestinal disorders. Celiac disease (CD) affects approximately 1% of the population in Western countries. The only treatment available is the strict avoidance of gluten in the diet. Interference RNA (RNAi) is an excellent approach for the down-regulation of genes coding for immunogenic proteins related to celiac disease, providing an alternative for the development of cereals suitable for CD patients. In the present work, we report a comparative study of the stimulatory capacity of seven low-gluten RNAi lines differing in grain gluten and non-gluten protein composition, relevant for CD and other gluten pathologies. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 35 patients with active CD were included in this study to assess the stimulatory response induced by protein extracts from the RNAi lines. Analysis of the proliferative response and interferon-gamma (INF-gamma) release of PBMCs demonstrated impaired stimulation in response to all RNAi lines. The lower response was provided by lines with a very low content of alpha- and gamma-gliadins, and low or almost devoid of DQ2.5 and p31-43 alpha-gliadin epitopes. The non-gluten protein seems not to play a key role in PBMC stimulation.
Differences in omega-5-gliadin allergy: East versus West
ASIA PACIFIC ALLERGY
Authors: Li, Philip Hei; Thomas, Iason; Wong, Jane Chi-Yan; Rutkowski, Krzysztof; Lau, Chak-Sing
Abstract
Background: Omega-5-gliadin (O5G) allergy, also known as wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis, is commonly reported in the Western, but not Asian, populations. Although significant differences in O5G allergy presentation across different populations are likely but there have been no previous reports on this important topic. Objective: To report on the prevalence and characteristics of O5G allergy in Hong Kong (HK) compared with the United Kingdom (UK). Methods: O5G allergy patients attending Queen Mary Hospital (HK cohort), and Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, London (UK cohort) were studied and compared. Results: A total of 46 O5G allergy patients (16 HK; 30 UK) were studied. In the HK cohort, 55% of all patients previously labeled as "idiopathic anaphylaxis" were diagnosed with O5G allergy. Exercise was the most common cofactor in both cohorts, followed by alcohol and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). A higher proportion of the HK cohort reported NSAID as a cofactor (13% vs. 0%, p = 0.048). In the HK cohort, more patients presented with urticaria and cardiovascular manifestations (100% vs. 77%, p = 0.036; 100% vs. 70%, p = 0.015, respectively); the range of presentation was more diverse in the UK cohort. In HK fewer patients adhered to wheat avoidance (50% vs. 87%, p = 0.007) and more patients avoided cofactors only (44% vs. 10%, p = 0.008). Conclusion: O5G allergy appears relatively underdiagnosed in HK. Urticaria and cardiovascular manifestations are common; NSAID plays an important role as a cofactor and patients are less concordant with dietary avoidance measures than in the Western population.