Can IL17A and IL21 Gene Expression and Trx Levels in Celiac Patients Be Used as Diagnostic Biomarkers?

Celiac.com 02/21/2019 - A team of researchers recently set out to evaluate Trx serum levels and the expression levels of IL17A, IL21, and Trx genes in biopsies of gluten-free treated celiac patients, and untreated celiac disease patients compared with healthy individuals. That’s partly due to new findings from a recent study on the subject.

The Iranian research team included Manizhe Faghih, Mohammad Rostami-Nejad, Davar Amani, Amir Sadeghi, Mohamad Amin Pourhoseingholi, Andrea Masotti, and Mohammad Reza Zali.  

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The team collected duodenal biopsies from 60 treated celiac patients, 60 healthy control subjects, and eight newly diagnosed celiac patients. They used quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to determine IL17A, IL21, and Trx gene expression, and to compare them with serum Trx levels assessed by enzyme-linked immuno- sorbent assay (ELISA). 

Expression levels of IL21 and Trx were similar in the celiac disease group compared to the control group, while significantly more celiac patients than controls carried the IL17A gene. Blood concentrations of Trx were substantially higher in treated celiac disease patients compared to control subjects. 

Duodenal biopsies of celiac disease patients show much higher levels of the IL17A than in healthy control subjects, while blood levels of Trx are markedly higher in treated celiac disease patients than control subjects. 

Based on these results, the team concludes that the expression levels of these genes and gene products, respectively, could potentially be used as diagnostic biomarkers for celiac disease patients. 

Further study is needed to understand the molecular processes involved, but one day a test a few simple biomarkers might help doctors to better treat and monitor patients with celiac disease. 

Read more at GENETIC TESTING AND MOLECULAR BIOMARKERS, Volume 22, Number 9, 2018, DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2018.0128