Tight junctions, intestinal permeability, and autoimmunity: celiac disease and type 1 diabetes paradigms

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2009 May:1165:195-205. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04037.x.

Abstract

Autoimmune diseases are characterized by tissue damage and loss of function due to an immune response that is directed against specific organs. This review is focused on celiac disease (CD), an autoimmune enteropathy, and type 1 diabetes (T1D), a hyperglycosaemia caused by a destructive autoimmune process targeting the insulin-producing pancreatic islet cells. Even if environmental factors and genetic susceptibility are clearly involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity, for most autoimmune disorders there is no or little knowledge about the causing agent or genetic makeup underlying the disease. In this respect, CD represents a unique autoimmune disorder because a close genetic association with HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8 haplotypes and, more importantly, the environmental trigger (the gliadin fraction of gluten-containing grains wheat, barley, and rye) are known. Conversely, the trigger for autoimmune destruction of pancreatic ss cells in T1D is unclear. Interestingly, recent data suggest that gliadin is also involved in the pathogenesis of T1D. There is growing evidence that increased intestinal permeability plays a pathogenic role in various autoimmune diseases including CD and T1D. Therefore, we hypothesize that besides genetic and environmental factors, loss of intestinal barrier function is necessary to develop autoimmunity. In this review, each of these components will be briefly reviewed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmunity* / genetics
  • Celiac Disease / genetics
  • Celiac Disease / immunology*
  • Cell Membrane Permeability / immunology
  • Cell Membrane Permeability / physiology*
  • Cholera Toxin / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / genetics
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / immunology*
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Gliadin / metabolism
  • HLA-DQ Antigens / genetics
  • HLA-DQ Antigens / immunology
  • Haplotypes
  • Haptoglobins
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • Protein Precursors
  • Tight Junctions / metabolism*

Substances

  • HLA-DQ Antigens
  • Haptoglobins
  • Protein Precursors
  • zonulin
  • Gliadin
  • Cholera Toxin