L. Tuckova et al., MOLECULAR MIMICRY AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF AUTOIMMUNE REACTIONS IN CELIAC-DISEASE - ANTIBODIES TO GLIADIN CROSS-REACT WITH EPITOPES ON ENTEROCYTES, Clinical immunology and immunopathology, 74(2), 1995, pp. 170-176
Structural similarities between external antigen and self components a
re believed to be one of the possible causes of autoimmunity. This stu
dy describes the presence of similar structures shared by gliadin and
enterocyte surface molecules recognized by antigliadin mAbs. The react
ivity of mAbs to gliadin was followed by ELISA using fixed enterocytes
, their brush-border membranes, or purified enterocyte antigen. The sp
ecificity of reaction was confirmed by ELISA inhibition studies and by
immunohistochemical staining of rat tissue sections using biotin-avid
in-peroxidase technique. Immunoprecipitation analysis of I-125-labeled
intestinal epithelial cells using antigliadin mAb revealed the presen
ce of two main cross-reactive molecules of 28 and 62 kDa. The 62-kDa a
nd an associated 66-kDa protein were isolated by affinity chromatograp
hy. Immunoblotting analysis showed that a 28-kDa protein detected by i
mmunoprecipitation also reacted with IgA of celiac disease patient ser
a. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.