Inibizione dell’apoptosi da parte degli anticorpi monoclonali umani anti-transglutaminasi

The celiac disease is characterized by the production of tTG (antitransglutaminase) antibodies. These antibodies could only be a marker of the disease, or, which is more likely, could be involved in the pathogenesis of intestinal lesions (inhibition of enterocyte differentiation) as well as of a secondary tumour and immunologic disease (inhibition of apoptosis). To assay this possibility, apoptosis was induced in PHA pre-challenged lymphocyte cells and 3T3 cells, by adding dexamethasone and by subtracting serum to the medium. The cells were then incubated with anti-htTG monoclonal antibodies. Anti-HIV monoclonal antibodies were the controls. The addition of anti-htTG antibodies inhibited apoptosis in a very significant way. The results were consistent with the idea that, even in vivo, anti-htTG antibodies do have an anti-apoptotic effect on the immune system, thus favouring the development of self-aggressive clones.