Higher serum IL-17A along with anti-tTG antibodies for prediction of refractory celiac disease

Abstract

Background: The role of IL-17A in celiac disease and refractory celiac disease remains elusive. Aim: In this pilot study, we aimed to follow-up serologically (autoantibodies and IL-17A levels) twelve celiac disease patients on a gluten-free diet. Methods: Twelve patients with histologically proven celiac disease were tested for anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG), anti-deamidated gliadin peptides (anti-DGP), and IL-17A at diagnosis and then adhered to the gluten-free diet for six months and tested again for the presence of autoantibodies. Results: Three out of the twelve patients have shown high levels of serum IL-17A (average 103.2 ± 24.5 pg/ml), and nine patients had IL-17A below the detection limit of the kit. At baseline, all patients showed positive results for celiac-related autoantibodies. The baseline level of cytokine IL-17A was higher in patients with no decrease of anti-tTG antibodies and persistent symptoms after six months of gluten-free diet compared to patients with decreased antibodies after gluten-free diet. The levels of anti-DGP decreased after gluten-free diet independently of the initial concentration of IL-17A. Conclusions: By the obtained results, we could suggest that IL-17A may be involved in refractory celiac disease and initially higher IL-17 along with positive anti-tTG could be used as a prognostic factor for gluten-free diet response in these patients. Citation: Velikova TV, Spassova ZA, Tumangelova-Yuzeir KD, Krasimirova EK, Ivanova-Todorova EI, Kyurkchiev DS, Altankova IS (2019) Higher serum IL-17A along with anti-tTG antibodies for prediction of refractory celiac disease, GJBAHS 8: 9.