[Genetic and immunological processes in the pathomechanism of gluten-sensitive enteropathy and associated metabolic...

Celiac disease or gluten-sensitive enteropathy is the most common disease of jejunum, leading to malabsorption. It is an immune mediated disease induced by gluten at the presence of genetic predisposition. After gluten exposition, immune processes are induced by T-cell mediation causing typical intestinal and extra intestinal manifestations. The diagnosis of celiac disease is still set up on the result of jejunal biopsy and detecting of antibodies against endomysium and tissue transglutaminase. From genetic aspect, association with HLA DQ2/DQ8 is identified in celiac disease. On a strict gluten-free diet, the clinical, histological and serological results improve and remission of accompanying diseases may be achieved. In the etiopathogenesis of celiac disease several genetic and immunological mechanisms have been recognized in recent years. Connected to the accompanying diseases, more reviews have been issued about the bone metabolic changes and less about the inflammatory join disorders. In the present work, the authors review literature data that reveal common background from both immunological and genetic aspects.