Predominance of histocompatibility antigen HL-A8 in patients with gluten-sensitive enteropathy.

HL-A phenotypes were determined in 24 unrelated patients with gluten-sensitive enteropathy (GSE) using a lymphocyte microcytotoxicity test. 21 of the 24 patients had HL-A8 in the second segregant series, a frequency of 0.875. In contrast, the HL-A8 frequency in 200 normal individuals was 0.215 (difference significant at P < 0.002), and in 6 patients with villous atrophy due to tropical sprue or hypogammaglobulinemia the HL-A8 frequency was 0.17 (difference from normal not significant). The HL-A types in the families of three HL-A8 positive patients with GSE indicated that the HL-A8 antigen was inherited as an autosomal dominant. Frequencies of the other HL-A antigens in the GSE group did not differ significantly from that of the normal group. These findings are compatible with the hypothesis that GSE is due to the presence of an abnormal "immune response (Ir) gene," leading to the production of pathogenic antigluten antibody or, alternatively, to the presence of a particular membrane configuration leading to the binding of gluten to epithelial cells with subsequent tissue damage.

Incorporation of L-leucine-14C into immunoglobulins by jejunal biopsies of patients with celiac sprue and other gastrointestinal diseases.

Incorporation of L-leucine-(14)C into proteins and immunoglobulins in vitro was determined in jejunal biopsy specimens from normal volunteers, patients with celiac sprue before and after introduction of gluten into the diet, patients with Whipple's disease in remission, and patients with immune deficiency states. Values for incorporation of L-leucine-(14)C into total and soluble protein by biopsies from five celiac sprue patients on a gluten-free diet were within, or slightly above, the 95% confidence limits for control data. One patient with celiac sprue and with normal intestinal histology had a normal value for incorporation into IgA; the other four patients with flat mucosas had elevated values. In Whipple's disease in remission, values for incorporation into total protein and IgA were within the control limits, whereas incorporation into soluble protein was increased. Patients with hypogammaglobulinemia or IgA deficiency had normal or elevated values for incorporation into total and soluble proteins; in these cases, however, no incorporation into IgA was detected. Biopsies from the four celiac sprue patients studied revealed that with introduction of gluten into the diet (a) incorporation into total protein, soluble protein, or both, increased; (b) incorporation into IgA increased in all patients, and in two instances the increase was greater than the increase in incorporation into total protein; and (c) incorporation into IgM increased in all patients. The changes during gluten administration usually occurred before changes in gastrointestinal absorptive function or in concentration of IgA in serum could be detected. These results indicate that gluten challenge stimulates increased local intestinal synthesis of immunoglobulins in patients with celiac sprue. The reaction occurs within days and it is possible that it plays a primary role in the pathogenesis of the disease.

An in vitro model of gluten-sensitive enteropathy. Effect of gliadin on intestinal epithelial cells of patients with gluten-sensitive enteropathy in organ culture.

Jejunal biopsy specimens from patients with gluten-sensitive enteropathy (GSE) (obtained during gluten challenge) as well as from normal individuals and patients with other gastrointestinal abnormalities were cultured in vitro for 48 h in the presence or absence of a peptic-tryptic digest (P-T digest) of gliadin. In the absence of gliadin the alkaline phosphatase activity in the biopsy specimens obtained from normal control individuals increased from an initial value of 384 +/- 83 U to a 48 h value of 561 +/- 151 U (mean +/- SD) (difference significant at P < 0.01). The initial alkaline phosphatase activity of specimens obtained from patients with GSE was strikingly lower than that of normals, 117 +/- 79 U, and increased to a 48 h value of 399 +/- 203 U (difference significant at P < 0.01). The biochemical change in cultured biopsy specimens of GSE patients correlated with increases in the length and regularity of brush borders of epithelial cells as seen with the electron microscope. In the presence of a P-T digest of gliadin, the alkaline phosphatase activity of biopsy specimens of control individuals increased from an initial value of 384 +/- 83 U to a 48 h value of 578 +/- 156 U. In contrast, the alkaline phosphatase activity of biopsy specimens of patients with GSE in exacerbation showed a markedly diminished increase in activity during 48 h of culture; in this case the initial activity was 117 +/- 79 U and the final activity was 203 +/- 93 U. This inhibitory effect on increase of alkaline phosphatase activity during organ culture was specific in that a P-T digest of casein (a protein not toxic in vivo to patients with GSE) had no effect on alkaline phosphatase increases in culture. Finally, these results obtained with biopsy specimens taken from patients with GSE in exacerbation were compared with results obtained from patients with GSE in remission. Alkaline phosphatase activity of specimens obtained from the latter group of patients also increased during culture but in this instance P-T digest of gliadin in the culture medium had no significant inhibitory effect. In conclusion, the inhibitory effect of gliadin on intestinal epithelial cells in organ culture represents an in vitro model of gluten-sensitive enteropathy. Inasmuch as this effect of gliadin is not seen in cultures of specimens taken from patients in remission, it appears that gliadin is not directly toxic to GSE jejunal mucosa per se, but rather toxicity requires the participation of an endogenous effector mechanism which must first be stimulated in vivo.

HL-A8: a genetic link between dermatitis herpetiformis and gluten-sensitive enteropathy.

Histocompatibility antigen HL-A8 was found in 58% of 26 patients with dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) compared to 24% of a normal group. This difference in antigen frequency is significant at the P < 0.003 level. In a previous study, the frequency of this same genetic marker was found to be significantly increased in patients with gluten-sensitive enteropathy (GSE) (88% in patients vs. 22% in controls). The finding of an increased incidence of the HL-A8 antigen in both DH and GSE supports the concept that these diseases are related and provides a genetic basis for the association between the two.

Dermatitis herpetiformis. Immunologic concomitants of small intestinal disease and relationship to histocompatibility antigen HL-A8.

In the present study the relation between the gluten-sensitive intestinal lesion observed in dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) and in gluten-sensitive enteropathy (coeliac sprue) (GSE) was analyzed. Jejunal IgA synthesis in DH was estimated from the extent of incorporation of [(14)C]leucine into IgA in jejunal biopsy specimens during short-term in vitro culture. Patients with DH have significantly elevated incorporation values as compared to normal control individuals (18,880+/-13,614 vs. 5,830+/-3,190 cpm/mg tissue protein/ 90 min) (P < 0.02) and the degree of elevation correlates well with the degree of morphologic abnormality. Thus patients with DH are similar to patients with GSE where elevated local mucosal IgA synthesis has also been observed. By using both morphologic and immunologic criteria for evaluating intestinal status, patients with DH and intestinal disease were distinguished from patients with DH free of intestinal disease. Of the eight patients in the former group, seven carried HL-A8 (87.5%), an incidence which is strikingly similar to that observed in patients with GSE alone (88.5%). In contrast, of the seven patients in the latter group (without gastro-intestinal disease) two had HL-A8, an incidence (27%) not significantly different from that in the normal population (20%) (P > 0.1).Thus, both in respect to local mucosal increase in IgA synthetic rates and in respect to the association with HL-A8, the intestinal lesion of DH is similar to that of GSE.

Gluten-sensitive enteropathy. Influence of histocompatibility type on gluten sensitivity in vitro.

We previously developed an in vitro organ culture system in which gluten exerts a toxic effect on intestinal mucosa of patients with active gluten-sensitive enteropathy. Gluten generally inhibits the epithelial cell maturation of intestinal biopsy specimens that otherwise occurs if the tissue is cultured for 24-48 h in a gluten-free medium. However, small intestinal mucosa from 15-20% of patients with proven gluten-sensitive enteropathy fails to manifest the expected gluten-induced damage in vitro. In the present study, we explored the relation between in vitro gluten-induced intestinal damage and the presence of HLA-B8. We determined whether the patients' histocompatibility type (HLA-B8 positive or negative) influenced the ability of gluten protein to inhibit epithelial cell maturation of cultured intestinal biopsy specimens from patients with gluten-sensitive enteropathy. Intestinal biopsies from 21 of 24 patients with gluten-sensitive enteropathy and HLA-B8 showed gluten-induced damage in vitro. On the other hand, intestinal biopsies from only 4 of 16 patients with gluten-sensitive enteropathy but without HLA-B8 showed gluten-induced damage in vitro. The difference in the effect of gluten in vitro between these two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The data show a dichotomy between gluten-induced tissue damage in vivo and in vitro in HLA-B8 negative patients, suggesting that HLA-B8 is important for gluten to manifest a cytotoxic influence in organ culture.

The coexistence of cystic fibrosis and celiac disease.

Two patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) who subsequently developed celiac disease (CD) are described. Since organ culture of intestinal mucosa has been used to establish an in vitro model for the study of CD, we utilized this opportunity to determine whether duodenal mucosa obtained from each of these two patients and their immediate families differed in its organ culture behavior from mucosa obtained from patients with CD alone. Additionally, as specific HL-A types are associated with CD, we used HL-A typing to determine whether the two patients with CF-CD differed genetically from patients with CD alone. One of our patients was HL-A8, the most common type associated with CD; the other was HL-A12, as are many of the non-HL-A8 celiac patients. The response in organ culture of the mucosa of these two patients was the same as the response in organ culture of the mucosa from patients with CD alone. These and other data suggest that CD occurring in patients with CF is no different than CD occurring alone.

A pilot study of sphincter-sparing management of adenocarcinoma of the rectum.

After analysis of 26 prospectively accrued patients with distal rectal adenocarcinomas who underwent sphincter preservation treatment, we have concluded that tumors that invade only the submucosa can safely be treated with surgery alone and that tumors that invade the muscularis or further can be safely treated with surgery combined with chemoradiotherapy. None of the patients had either local or distant recurrence, with a median follow-up of 21 months. All patients have been fully continent. The results, although preliminary, imply that resection of distal rectal adenocarcinoma with sphincter preservation, and adjuvant therapy when appropriate, have achieved local and distant control equal to the conventional Miles' abdominoperineal resection, but without the need for a permanent colostomy.

An analysis of peripheral blood and salivary polymorphonuclear leukocyte function, circulating immune complex levels and oral status in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

In an earlier case report, we described a 28-year-old man with active Crohn's disease and rapidly progressive alveolar bone loss, who presented with enhanced peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocyte activity as assessed by phagocytosis and lysis of a target bacterium. To assess the significance of this finding, peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) from thirty patients with active or inactive inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were examined for spontaneous and stimulated hexose monophosphate shunt (HMS) activity. Analysis revealed the PMN from active IBD patients displayed greater metabolic activity than PMN from inactive IBD patients, which in turn were more active than PMN from normal subjects. Since circulating immune complex (CIC) levels might be of importance in the in vivo activation of PMN, analysis of serum CIC levels via polyethylene glycol 6000 precipitation was carried out. This indicated that active IBD patients had higher levels of CIC activity then inactive IBD patients. Ten of these patients were evaluated for spontaneous HMS activity by salivary PMN. As compared to controls, comparable numbers of salivary PMN from IBD patients displayed an average of 45% less activity than control salivary PMN. Analysis of the oral status of 10 IBD patients referred to the Peter Bent Brigham Dental Clinic indicated that two patients had overt oral pathoses apparently attributable to IBD. These two patients also had the highest CIC levels observed in the 30 serum samples tested.

Generation of suppressor macrophages during the human autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction.

The suppression of a mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) by cells generated in an autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR) is an in vitro assay which has been used to monitor immune regulation by T cells in patients with suspected autoimmune disorders. We found that the cells generated in an AMLR which were predominantly responsible for the suppression of an MLC were not T cells, but rather large, low density cells bearing macrophage cell surface determinants (M1 & M5). Generation of these cells appeared not to require either E-rosette positive T cells, or cell division, as gamma-irradiated E-rosette negative cells cultured alone for 6 days gave rise to these cells as well. Enrichment for the large AMLR-generated cells by discontinuous density gradient separation yielded a population of cells which were highly suppressive compared to the smaller cells, the majority of which bore T cell surface markers and which had little effect or even enhanced an MLC. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells cultured under similar conditions, but without prior separation and irradiation of the E-rosette negative cells also were shown to generate a population of large suppressor cells bearing M1 and M5 determinants. These findings suggest that these large macrophage-like suppressor cells are not an artifact of cell separation by rosetting with sheep erythrocytes and that such cells as well as T cells may be critical in the regulation of immune responses in vivo as well as in vitro.

Selective immunoglobulin a deficiency, ulcerative colitis, and gluten-sensitive enteropathy--a unique association.

A patient with selective immunoglobulin A deficiency, severe ulcerative colitis, and malabsorption had a flat jejunal mucosa demonstrated by peroral biopsy. Treatment at different times with a gluten-free diet for the jejunal lesion and corticosteroids for the ulcerative colitis, led to improvement of the malabsorption. A repeat jejunal biopsy demonstrated histological improvement of the jejunal mucosa, even though the colitis remained active. The occurrence of immunoglobulin A deficiency in a patient with ulcerative colitis and gluten-sensitive enteropathy is uncommon.

Gluten-sensitive enteropathy: synthesis of antigliadin antibody in vitro.

The intestinal mucosa of patients with gluten-sensitive enteropathy responds to gluten challenge in vivo with a striking increase in IgA and IgM synthesis. Whether this increase in immunoglobulin synthesis is due in some part to the production of antigliadin antibodies is examined. Using an affinity chromatography technique it has been demonstrated that in six of seven patients with gluten-sensitive enteropathy approximately half of the net increase in IgA and IgM synthesis occurring after gluten challenge can be attributed to the synthesis of antigliadin antibody. These data strengthen the hypothesis that immunological phenomena are related to the pathogenesis of glutensensitive enteropathy.

Definitive diagnosis of gluten-sensitive enteropathy. Use of an in vitro organ culture model.

The flat mucosal lesion of the small intestine is not pathognomonic of gluten-sensitive enteropathy (GSE). Frequently, the definitive diagnosis of this condition can only be established after three intestinal biopsies are performed: an initial one to show a flat mucosal lesion, one after a gluten-free diet to show morphological recovery, and one after a gluten challenge to show morphological deterioration. We used an organ culture model of GSE to determine the usefulness of this technique in establishing a diagnosis of GSE on the basis of the initial biopsy. Seventy-five patients with diarrhea, and/or malabsorption were evaluated prospectively; 40 had a flat mucosal lesion of variable degree; of these 26 were ultimately determined to have gluten-sensitive enteropathy by the above criteria. A rise in alkaline phosphatase activity of intestinal tissue from 22 of these 26 patients was inhibited when the tissue was cultured in gluten-containing medium as compared to enzyme activities of cultures in a gluten-free medium (108 +/- 69 versus 206 +/- 96, mean +/- SD, P less than 0.001). Mean enzyme values in the similarly cultured intestinal tissue from 13 of 14 patients ultimately shown not to have GSE were not affected by gluten (224 +/- 94 versus 201 +/- 109, P greater than 0.4). Examination of the data by stepwise discriminant analysis provided a function which correctly classified 35 of the 40 patients (88%). The false-positive and false-negative rate for establishing the diagnosis of GSE was 7% (1 of 14) and 15% (4 of 26), respectively. All patients with normal biopsies were classified correctly. The model can be used to establish prospectively the definitive diagnosis of GSE, obviate the need for additional diagnostic biopsies, and allow for the prompt pursuit of alternative diagnoses when gluten sensitivity is not shown.

Defective autologous mixed-lymphocyte reaction and suppressor cell generation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Impaired regulation of immune function may contribute to the abnormal immune responses associated with idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease. We examined the autologous mixed-lymphocyte culture in inflammatory bowel disease patients because this reaction may reflect self regulation of immune responses in vivo and results in activation of suppressor T cells in vitro. We also examined suppressor T-cell generation in two separate assays. In contrast to healthy and disease controls who had normal values, the autologous mixed-lymphocyte culture response was diminished in 44 of 51 (86%) patients with inflammatory bowel disease, independent of disease type, activity, or steroid therapy. Fourteen of 17 inflammatory bowel disease patients (83%) had decreased suppressor T-cell generation. These results show a distinct abnormality in autologous mixed-lymphocyte culture reactivity and in generation of suppressor cells in inflammatory bowel disease. Such impaired immune regulation may be partly responsible for the immunologic aberrations observed in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.