Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder that occurs in genetically susceptible individuals of all ages and is triggered by immune response to gluten and related proteins. The disease is characterized by the presence of HLA-DQ2 and/or -DQ8 haplotypes, diverse clinical manifestations, gluten-sensitive enteropathy, and production of several autoantibodies of which endomysial, tissue transglu...

IgA Antibodies against Tissue Transglutaminase in the Diagnosis of Celiac Disease: Concordance with Intestinal Biopsy in Children and Adults, M Jesus Llorente, Mercedes Sebastián, M Jesus Fernández-Aceñero, Gemma Prieto, and Santiago Villanueva (Departments of 1 Biochemistry, 2 Pediatrics, and 3 Surgical Pathology, Hospital General of Móstoles, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain; * address correspondence ...

The protein cross-linking enzyme tissue transglutaminase binds in vitro with high affinity to fibronectin via its 42-kD gelatin-binding domain. Here we report that cell surface transglutaminase mediates adhesion and spreading of cells on the 42-kD fibronectin fragment, which lacks integrin-binding motifs. Overexpression of tissue transglutaminase increases its amount on the cell surface, enhanc...

Transglutaminases catalyze the cross-linking and amine incorporation of proteins, and are implicated in various biological phenomena. Previously, we found a high molecular mass transglutaminase-inhibitory substance produced by Streptomyces lavendulae Y-200 that appeared to be a melanin substance. Here, we report that synthetic tyrosine melanin inhibited various types of transglutaminases. Tyros...

Case report An eight year old boy presented with polyuria and polydipsia for 1 month. On examination, liver was not palpable but spleen was enlarged (6cm). Blood sugar was 460 mg/dl and type1 DM was confirmed. Ultrasonography showed portal vein cavernoma with normal liver and pancreas. Endoscopy revealed grade 2 esophageal varices. Thus diagnosis of EHPVO with portal hypertension was also confi...

Neuroinflammation can lead to either damage of astrocytes or astrogliosis. Astrocyte loss may be caused by cytotoxic T cells as seen in Rasmussen encephalitis, auto-antibodies such as in neuromyelitis optica (aquaporin-4 antibodies), or cytokines such as TNF-α in major depressive disorder. Interleukins-1 and -6 appear to be important molecular mediators of astrogliosis. Chronic focal lesions in...

Transglutaminases are a class of enzymes capable of covalently cross-linking both intracellular and extracellular proteins. The activity of tissue transglutaminase is known to decrease precipitously following neoplastic transformation, and it has been hypothesized that transglutaminase may be involved in growth regulation. We have found that the differentiation promoter sodium butyrate is able ...