Celiac disease (CeD) is an immune-related condition triggered by consuming gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. In celiac disease, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the small intestinal lining in the presence of gluten, leading to problems like nutrient malabsorption and other gastrointestinal complaints.
One of the challenges in the study of celiac disease is to understand the role played by the cells involved in the disease. Specifically, when examining gene expression and the role of genetics, context matters: the same cell types may show altered behaviors under different conditions. In the thesis of Aaron Ramirez Sanchez, various compartments are investigated of the body to map the disease on a molecular level, focusing on specific cells and tissues involved in this disorder. Throughout my journey, I explored immune cells that respond specifically to gluten, cells present in circulation before and after the onset of the disease, and the epithelial lining of the small intestine during the disease and after a gluten-free diet. By analyzing gene expression and epigenetics (how genes are regulated), I identified important genes and pathways linked to celiac disease.
Additionally, methods have been developed to handle small tissue samples from intestinal biopsies, facilitating their study using novel techniques, such as single-cell omics.
Overall, the thesis expands the boundaries of our current understanding of celiac disease. Some of these findings raise new questions that will require novel technologies and proper study designs to ultimately prove their usefulness in improving the diagnostics and treatment of celiac disease in the future.
