Important lessons derived from animal models of celiac disease

Several animal models have been recently developed to recapitulate various components of the complex process that is celiac disease. In addition to the increasing diversity of murine models there are now monkey models of celiac disease. Mouse strains and protocols have been developed that are now just beginning to address the complex interactions among the innate and adaptive immune responses to gluten, as well as gluten-dependent autoimmunity in celiac disease. The most important conclusion that these models have provided us with so far is that while all three components (innate gluten sensitivity, adaptive gluten sensitivity, and autoimmunity) are independent phenomena, all are necessary for celiac disease to develop.