Short summary

Celiac disease is a chronic inflammatory disease in the gastrointestinal tract with autoimmune components that is elicited by gluten. Somewhat surprisingly, we recently observed that two of our patients with celiac disease developed IgA deficiency after they initiated a gluten-free diet. These two children harbored IgA in their mucosal plasma cells when IgA in serum was absent.

Rationale

To clarify if the IgA observed in the GI mucosa in IgA deficient subjects is due to nonspecific binding or is a concrete phenomenon, possibly due to mucosal IgA being eliminated at a slower pace than circulating IgA.

Description of the cohort

In the period January 2021 to December 2024, duodenal biopsies from 5-10 patients from with celiac disease and IgA deficiency will be identified and included. Patients will be included from the pediatric department at OUH.

Data and biological material

Duodenal biopsies (old samples) will be investigated for immunoglobulin isotypes IgG, IgA, IgA1, IgA2, IgM and for T cell subtypes (CD3, CD4, CD8). Information about the disease will retrospectively be collected from patient journals.

Collaborating researchers and departments

Department of Pathology, OUH

• Gunvor Madsen
• Lene Christensen