Gliadin-specific T cell response

The gliadin-specific T cell response refers to the adaptive immune reaction in celiac disease where CD4+ T cells, primarily restricted by HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8, recognize deamidated gliadin peptides derived from dietary gluten. Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) deamidates glutamine residues in α-gliadin peptides (e.g., those overlapping a seven-residue fragment), enhancing their affinity for HLA-DQ2/8 and enabling T cell activation in the intestinal mucosa. This response drives chronic small intestinal inflammation, villous atrophy, and symptoms in genetically susceptible individuals. Gluten exposure also recruits gut-homing CD8+ αβ and γδ T cells with focused T cell receptor repertoires, amplifying the pathology. Responses are detectable peripherally via proliferation assays or activation markers like OX40/4-1BB on CD4+ T cells after gliadin stimulation, particularly in untreated patients. No direct therapeutic drugs target these T cells; management relies on gluten-free diet to eliminate the antigen trigger.

Other names

Gliadin-reactive CD4+ T cellsgluten-specific T cellsα-gliadin-specific intestinal T cells