Endomysial antibody production is not related to histological damage afterin vitro gluten challenge

Objective To determine whether in vitro induction of endomysial antibodies is an in vitro marker of coeliac toxicity. Design To determine whether in vitro endomysial incubation correlate with a ntibodies induced by gliadin histological damage induced by in vitro gliadi n challenge. Methods Small-bowel organ cultures from seven patients with treated coeliac disease were incubated in an organ culture system with gliadin; histologic al damage was morphometrically evaluated and endomysial antibodies were mea sured in the organ culture supernatant by indirect immunofluorescence. Results Although incubation with gliadin caused histological damage, there was no detectable production of endomysial antibody. Conclusions In vitro, endomysial antibody induction cannot be used as a mar ker of coeliac toxicity. Endomysial antibodies are not necessary for genera ting the histological lesion of coeliac disease. (C) 2000 Lippincott Willia ms & Wilkins.