Background and aim: To diagnose coeliac disease (CD) in individuals on a gluten free diet (GFD), we aimed to assess the utility of detecting activated γδ and CD8 T cells expressing gut-homing receptors after a short gluten challenge.
Methods: We studied 15 CD patients and 35 non-CD controls, all exposed to three days of gluten when following a GFD. Peripheral blood was collected before and six days after starting gluten consumption, and the expression of CD103, β7 and CD38 in γδ and CD8 T cells was assessed by flow cytometry. Determination of IFN-γ and IP-10 was performed by means of ELISPOT and/or Luminex technology.
Results: We observed both γδ and CD8 T cells coexpressing CD103, β7hi and CD38 in every patient with CD on day six, but only in one control. The studied CD8 T subpopulation was easier to detect than the γδ subpopulation. Increased IFN-γ and IP-10 levels after challenge were observed in patients with CD, but not in controls.
Conclusion: A short three-day gluten challenge elicits the activation of CD103+ β7hi CD8+ T cells in CD. These cells can be detected by flow cytometry in peripheral blood, opening new possibilities for CD diagnosis in individuals on a GFD.
Keywords: CD8 T cells; Diagnosis; Gluten challenge; Gluten free diet.
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