This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Elafin may effect pathophysiology of gluten-related disorders
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
The elafin expression in the small intestine may have pathophysiological and therapeutic relevance in patients with gluten-related disorders, according to a recent study.
“Overall, our results suggest that there are beneficial effects of Ll-E [Lactococcus lactis vector elafin] in this model of gluten-induced small intestinal dysfunction that involve immunomodulatory effects and regulation of barrier and tight-junction function. This is consistent with previous reports on the effect of elafin in the colon using animal models of colitis,” researchers wrote.
Heather J. Galipeau, BHSc, of the Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada, and colleagues investigated the role of elafin in celiac disease (CD) using human small intestinal tissues and in vitro assays of gliadin deamidation; and a mouse model of gluten sensitivity to determine the potential benefits of elafin.
According to data, the molecule expression in the small intestinal epithelium appeared lower in patients with active CD compared with controls.
Elafin also significantly decreased the kinetics of the deamidation of the 33-mer peptide to its more immunogenic form, according to in vitro results.
When gluten-sensitive mice were treated with elafin delivered by the L. lactis vector normalized inflammation, improved permeability, and maintained ZO-1 expression, according to data.
These findings may add to the current knowledge base on the pathophysiology of CD and trigger further research for the development of new therapies indicated for gluten-related disorders, the researchers concluded.
Disclosure: Elena F. Verdu, MD, PhD, holds a Canada Research Chair.
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts