Methods and apparatus for detection of gluten sensitivity, and its differentiation from celiac disease

Abstract

Antibodies are used as biomarkers to assist in distinguishing gluten immune reactivity and sensitivity, silent celiac disease, Crohn's disease and other gut-related pathologies from classical celiac disease. In one class of embodiments, sera, saliva or other samples from a human or other animal are tested for antibodies to (a) a wheat antigen; (b) a gliadin antigen; and (c) one or more of a wheat germ agglutinin, a gluteomorphin, a glutenin, a deamidated glutenin, a prodynorphin, and a dynorphin. Test results are considered particularly interesting where the wheat antigen and the gliadin antigen are both selected from the group consisting of native and deamidated forms of α-gliadin 33-mer, α-gliadin-17-mer, γ-gliadin-15-mer, ω-gliadin-17-mer, and glutenin 21-mer. Test plates and kits can advantageously test for antibodies to at least three, five, seven or all of mixed wheat antigens, α-gliadin, γ-gliadin, ω-gliadin, glutenin, α-glutenin, wheat germ agglutinin, gluteomorphin, prodynorphins, transglutaminase-2, transglutaminase-3, transglutaminase-6, and gliadin-bound transglutaminase.

Description

[0001]The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 258,949, filed on Sep. 7, 2016, which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 354,119, filed on Jan. 19, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 143,4501, filed on Jan. 20, 2011, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to methods and kits for aid in diagnosis of gut-related diseases and pathologies, including at least gluten immune reactivity and sensitivity, silent celiac disease, and Crohn's disease.BACKGROUND[0003]Wheat allergy, celiac disease and gluten sensitivity are three distinct conditions that are triggered by the ingestion of wheat gliadin (1, 2). These and all other extrinsic materials discussed herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a method for diagnosing gluten immune reactivity and sensitivity, as well as silent or atypical celiac disease and Crohn's disease by using antibodies to wheat antigens. The invention involves testing for antibodies to a mixed wheat antigen preparation, which can differentiate wheat sensitivity and gluten immune reactivity from other similar pathologies. The test results can be used to assist in diagnosing gluten immune reactivity and sensitivity, especially when the wheat antigen is de-amidated. The invention also provides a detection method using an immunological assay, such as ELISA or RIA, to measure the presence of antibodies to wheat antigens.

Problems solved by technology

The less severe clinical picture in GS, the absence of tTg autoantibodies, and the dismissal of the significance of elevated IgG and IgA autoantibodies against various wheat proteins and peptides by many clinicians makes GS an extremely dangerous disorder.

This is because the persistence of IgG and / or IgA antibodies in the blood for long periods of time, along with inducers of inflammatory cascades can result in full-blown autoimmunity.

If this were to be the case, due to the severity of the resulting tissue damage even implementation of a gluten-free diet might not be able to help reverse the course of the autoimmune reaction induced by IgG and IgA antibodies against different wheat antigens and peptides.

According to this model, if two children, one with a negative genetic makeup (HLA DQ2 / DQ8−), and the other with positive (HLA DQ2 / DQ8+), are exposed to environmental factors, such as Rota virus, bacterial endotoxins, and some medications or their synergistic effects, the result can be a breakdown of mucosal immune tolerance in both children.

However, in the individual with the positive genetic makeup, the IgG and IgA antibodies against gliadin along with biomarkers of inflammation can activate tTg, induce damage to the villi, and result in villous atrophy.

With continuous exposure to wheat antigens and continuous mucosal immune tolerance, the wheat antigens and reacting antibodies form an unholy alliance of immune complexes, resulting in severe gluten immune reactivity and sensitivity.

Unfortunately, that leaves many gluten-sensitive people suffering unnecessarily with very serious symptoms that put them at risk for complications, conditions that might be resolved with a gluten-free diet, if they only knew.

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