Last week, we learned that celiac disease is an autoimmune disease, NOT a food allergy. But that left us with a pretty big question: If it's not an allergy, what's actually happening inside the body when someone with celiac disease eats gluten?
This week, we're diving deeper into the immune system to find out!
Remember our immune system security team? We're bringing them back, but this time we're looking at some of the specific immune cells involved in celiac disease. We'll meet dendritic cells, CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells, and B cells, and discover what happens when the immune system mistakenly identifies gluten as a threat. We'll even learn about a chemical alarm called interferon-gamma!
We'll explore how:
- Dendritic cells pick up pieces of gluten and present them to T cells.
- CD4 T cells send out chemical signals that activate other immune cells.
- B cells produce antibodies that can contribute to damage in the small intestine.
- CD8 T cells attack cells in the lining of the small intestine.
And what does all of this have to do with those tiny finger-like structures we learned about last week? A LOT!
We'll revisit the villi that line the small intestine and discover what happens when they become shortened and flattened. When those villi are damaged, the small intestine loses some of its surface area, making it harder for the body to absorb nutrients from food.
We'll also talk about the role genetics plays in celiac disease and why having celiac disease isn't someone's fault. It's not caused by eating too much bread or having a weak immune system!
And we'll end with another big question: If the small intestine can't absorb nutrients as well, why does that matter to the rest of the body?
That's exactly what we'll explore in the next episode!Whether your child has celiac disease, knows someone who does, or is simply curious about how the human body works, join us as we break down the science of celiac disease, one episode at a time.
This is Part 2 of our 5-part celiac disease series, with new episodes every Friday through December 4!
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