Gluten and wheat sensitivities – An overview. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Scherf, Katharina Anne; Koehler, Peter; Wieser, Herbert
• Is Part Of: Journal of cereal science. Volume 67(2016)
• Page Start: 2
• Page End: 11
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: Coeliac disease -- Gluten -- Non-coeliac gluten sensitivity -- Wheat allergy; ATI amylase trypsin inhibitor -- CD coeliac disease -- CU contact urticaria -- DH dermatitis herpetiformis -- ESPGHAN European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition -- GA gluten ataxia -- GFD gluten-free diet -- GS glutenin subunit -- HLA human leukocyte antigen -- HMW high-molecular-weight -- IEL intraepithelial lymphocyte -- IFN interferon -- Ig immunoglobulin -- IL interleukin -- LMW low-molecular-weight -- MMW medium-molecular-weight -- NCGS non-coeliac gluten sensitivity -- RAST radioallergosorbent test -- RCD refractory coeliac disease -- TG2 tissue transglutaminase -- TLR toll-like receptor -- WA wheat allergy; Grain -- Periodicals; Cereal products -- Periodicals; Céréales -- Périodiques; Produits céréaliers -- Périodiques; Cereal products; Grain; Periodicals; 664.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcs.2015.07.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0733-5210

Abstract

Abstract: Wheat products are important staple foods worldwide. However, a small portion of the population has to avoid wheat-containing foods because of harmful immune responses. Countless studies have demonstrated that the storage (gluten) proteins of wheat are major causative agents for wheat-dependent immune-mediated disorders. The unique structural features of gluten proteins are long repetitive amino acid sequences rich in glutamine and proline. These sequence sections are involved in most wheat sensitivities. Corresponding homologous sequence sections of rye and barley proteins may also be harmful, but relevant studies are rare. Wheat sensitivities can be classified into three main forms: autoimmunogenic sensitivities including coeliac disease, dermatitis herpetiformis, and gluten ataxia; allergic sensitivities including immediate wheat allergy, wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis, respiratory allergy, and contact urticaria; and non-coeliac gluten sensitivity. The presented overview summarizes our current knowledge of gluten protein structures related to wheat sensitivities and the epidemiological, clinical, and pathogenic differences between these immune-mediated disorders. Highlights: Worldwide, wheat is an important source of carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Gluten proteins of wheat are major causative agents for food sensitivities. Relationships between gluten structures and wheat sensitivities are explained. Clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of wheat sensitivities are delineated.