ACTIVATION OF ALTERNATIVE PATHWAY BY GLUTEN - POSSIBLE ETIOLOGICAL FACTOR IN DERMATITIS-HERPETIFORMIS

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 33  (3) , 339-342
Abstract
Gluten fractions apparently activate the alternative pathway of complement [C] when added to normal human serum. Breakdown of C3 and Factor B occur in a manner analogous to that when activated by zymosan, in the presence of MgEGTA [magnesium ethylene glycol bis(.beta.-aminoethyl ether) tetraacetic acid] and in serum devoid of classical pathway activity. Bypass activation may be the primary event when gluten enters the serum across a damaged gut mucosa. Immune complexes containing noncomplement fixing Ig[immunoglobulin]A antigluten antibody are carried to the skin where complexed gluten activates C3 and initiates an inflammatory reaction.