Immune Response to Rotavirus and Gluten Sensitivity

J Immunol Res. 2018 Mar 15:2018:9419204. doi: 10.1155/2018/9419204. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Rotavirus is a double-stranded RNA virus belonging to the family of Reoviridae. The virus is transmitted by the faecal-oral route and infects intestinal cells causing gastroenteritis. Rotaviruses are the main cause of severe acute diarrhoea in children less than 5 years of age worldwide. In our previous work we have shown a link between rotavirus infection and celiac disease. Nonceliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is emerging as new clinical entity lacking specific diagnostic biomarkers which has been reported to occur in 6-10% of the population. Clinical manifestations include gastrointestinal and/or extraintestinal symptoms which recede with gluten withdrawal. The pathogenesis of the disease is still unknown. Aim of this work is to clarify some aspects of its pathogenesis using a gene array approach. Our results suggest that NCGS may have an autoimmune origin. This is based both on gene expression data (i.e., TH17-interferon signatures) and on the presence of TH17 cells and of serological markers of autoimmunity in NCGS. Our results also indicate a possible involvement of rotavirus infection in the pathogenesis of nonceliac gluten sensitivity similarly to what we have previously shown in celiac disease.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology*
  • Autoimmunity
  • Celiac Disease / immunology*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diarrhea
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Glutens / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Rotavirus / immunology*
  • Rotavirus Infections / immunology*
  • Th17 Cells / immunology*

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Glutens