Gliadin-reactive T cell (null)

Gliadin-reactive T cells are **antigen-specific CD4+ T lymphocytes** that recognize deamidated peptides derived from gliadin, a component of gluten, when presented by disease-associated HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8 molecules[1][3]. These T cells are found in the gut mucosa of individuals with celiac disease and are critical in initiating and sustaining the autoimmune response against gluten, resulting in chronic small intestinal inflammation[1][3]. Upon activation, these T cells secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-21 (IL-21), driving tissue pathology[2][4]. Their presence is essentially restricted to celiac patients and serves as a hallmark for disease pathogenesis and diagnosis[3][4]. Experimental therapies in development aim to induce immune tolerance or selectively suppress these gluten-specific T cell clones, but there are no approved drugs directly targeting them as a molecular therapeutic target[5]. **Critical Note:** This is not a **canonical molecular drug target** (e.g., receptor or enzyme). Instead, it is a **pathogenic immune cell population** defined by its antigen reactivity. It is not a gene, protein, or molecular entity amenable to direct pharmacological targeting as required by most structured drug target databases. Thus, "Gliadin-reactive T cell" is not a correct entry for a canonical target record; its inclusion would be considered incorrect in this context.

Other names

Gluten-reactive T cellGliadin-specific T cellGluten-specific T cell

None (not a target for direct antagonism/agonism; experimental cell therapies aim to suppress these cells)[5]