Figure 1.

Intestinal epithelial damage in celiac disease: role of “toxic” and “immunogenic” peptides. “Toxic” peptides in intestinal cells induce tight junction (TJ) dysfunctions and several cytotoxic effects such as apoptosis and altered cell differentiation. Most of these effects are mediated by increased oxidative stress induced by gluten peptides in enterocytes. These alterations reflect in an impairment of the epithelial barrier and increased permeability. As a consequence, both “toxic” and “immunogenic” peptides of gliadin pass through the enterocytes leading to activation of the immune response (native and adaptive) contributing to cell damage and villous atrophy in celiac disease (CD) subjects. LPMC, lamina propria mononuclear cells; tTG, Tissue transglutaminase.