Phenotyping circulating gliadin-specific T-cells
Further phenotyping of gliadin–specific CD4+CD154+ T-cells in effector memory (CD45RA- CCR7-), central memory (CD45RA-CCR7+) or naïve (CD45RA+CCR7+) cells revealed a shift towards the memory types in the groups with active small intestinal inflammation. Remarkably, effector memory T-cells outnumbered naïve T-cells (ratio>1, Figure 2B ) only in aCeD, Refr and CD patients. Moreover, gliadin-specific CD4+CD154+ T-cells, positive for the small intestinal homing marker α4β1, but not for α4β7, a general gut homing marker, were increased in aCeD patients (Figure 2C, D ), further strengthening the connection of peripheral nutritional antigen-specific T-cells to small intestinal inflammation.