The ingestion of wheat gliadin (alcohol-soluble proteins, an integral part of wheat gluten) and related proteins induce, in genetically predisposed individuals, celiac disease (CD), which is characterized by immune-mediated impairment of the small intestinal mucosa. The lifelong omission of gluten and related grain proteins, i.e., a gluten-free diet (GFD), is at present the only therapy for CD. Although a GFD usually reduces CD symptoms, it does not entirely restore the small intestinal mucosa to a fully healthy state. Recently, the participation of microbial components in pathogenetic mechanisms of celiac disease was suggested. The present review provides information on infectious diseases associated with CD and the putative role of infections in CD development. Moreover, the involvement of the microbiota as a factor contributing to pathological changes in the intestine is discussed. Attention is paid to the mechanisms by which microbes and their components affect mucosal immunity, including tolerance to food antigens. Modulation of microbiota composition and function and the potential beneficial effects of probiotics in celiac disease are discussed.

• Keywords
• celiac disease, gluten-free diet, immune response, infections, microbiota, parasites,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

Calreticulin, upon translocation to the cell surface, plays a critical role in the recognition of tumour cells and in experimentally induced cellular anti-tumour immunity. However, less is known about anti-calreticulin antibodies and their role in malignancies. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we found immunoglobulin (Ig)A and/or IgG anti-calreticulin antibodies in sera of approximately 63% of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 57% of patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRA) and 47% of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PACA), while healthy controls, patients with viral hepatitis C and with chronic pancreatitis reached only 2%, 20% and 31% seropositivity, respectively. We found significantly elevated mean levels of IgA anti-calreticulin antibodies (P < 0.001) in patients with HCC (78.7 +/- 52.3 AU, mean +/- standard deviation), PACA (66.5 +/- 30.9 AU) and CRA (61.8 +/- 25.8 AU) when compared to healthy controls (41.4 +/- 19.2 AU). Significantly elevated mean levels of IgG anti-calreticulin antibodies (P < 0.001) were detected in patients with HCC (121.9 +/- 94.2 AU), gall bladder adenocarcinoma (118.4 +/- 80.0 AU) and PACA (88.7 +/- 55.6 AU) when compared to healthy controls (56.7 +/- 22.9 AU). Pepscan analysis revealed a large number of antigenic epitopes of calreticulin recognized by both IgA and IgG antibodies of patients with HCC and PACA, indicating robust systemic immune response. Moreover, significantly elevated levels of antibodies against peptide KGEWKPRQIDNP (P < 0.001) in these patients, tested by ELISA, confirmed the distinct character of antibody reactivity against calreticulin. The high occurrence and specificity of serum anti-calreticulin autoantibodies in the majority of patients with some gastrointestinal malignancies provide the evidence for their possible clinical relevance.

• MeSH
• Adenocarcinoma blood   immunology   MeSH
• Autoantigens immunology   MeSH
• Autoantibodies blood   immunology   MeSH
• B-Lymphocytes immunology   MeSH
• Hepatitis C, Chronic blood   immunology   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay MeSH
• Epitopes immunology   MeSH
• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular blood   immunology   MeSH
• Immunoglobulin A blood   immunology   MeSH
• Immunoglobulin G blood   immunology   MeSH
• Calreticulin immunology   MeSH
• Colorectal Neoplasms blood   immunology   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Neoplasm Proteins immunology   MeSH
• Liver Neoplasms blood   immunology   MeSH
• Pancreatic Neoplasms blood   immunology   MeSH
• Gallbladder Neoplasms blood   immunology   MeSH
• Pancreatitis blood   immunology   MeSH
• Antibodies, Neoplasm blood   immunology   MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Antibody Specificity MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Comparative Study MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Autoantigens MeSH
• Autoantibodies MeSH
• Epitopes MeSH
• Immunoglobulin A MeSH
• Immunoglobulin G MeSH
• Calreticulin MeSH
• Neoplasm Proteins MeSH
• Antibodies, Neoplasm MeSH