Phenotyping circulating gliadin-specific T-cells
Further phenotyping of gliadin–specific
CD4+CD154+ T-cells in effector
memory (CD45RA- CCR7-), central
memory (CD45RA-CCR7+) or naïve
(CD45RA+CCR7+) cells revealed a
shift towards the memory types in the groups with active small
intestinal inflammation. Remarkably, effector memory T-cells outnumbered
naïve T-cells (ratio>1, Figure 2B ) only in aCeD,
Refr and CD patients. Moreover, gliadin-specific
CD4+CD154+ T-cells, positive for the
small intestinal homing marker α4β1, but not for α4β7, a general gut
homing marker, were increased in aCeD patients (Figure 2C, D ),
further strengthening the connection of peripheral nutritional
antigen-specific T-cells to small intestinal inflammation.