Post by Jama Lambert

THE BETTER BIOMARKER: GLIADIN-TRANSGLUTAMINASE COMPLEX My new friends from Germany, whom I met at the International Congress on Autoimmunity, reminded me of the importance of the gliadin-transglutaminase complex (gliadin-tTG complex), what they call the “tTg neo-epitope.” Both Dr Matthias and Dr Wusterhausen presented studies on better biomarkers for Celiac disease than the traditional tissue transglutaminase-2 (tTG2) and/or endomysial cell antibodies (EMA). Today, I dug up the paper that inspired Cyrex Laboratories to add the Gliadin-Transglutaminase Complex to their Array 3 (now enhanced again and renamed WheatBurden®). My heroes, Dr Lerner and Dr Matthias, in “Antibodies against neo-epitope tTg complexed to gliadin are different and more reliable then anti-tTg for the diagnosis of pediatric celiac disease,” presented the data of gliadin-tTG complex in a pediatric population. They found that this biomarker was significantly better at identifying patients with CeD than the traditional tTG2 IgA test. The opening sentence of their conclusion “It is hoped that additional studies will compare, head to head, other CeD associated autoantibodies, thus challenging the tTg-IgA recommended first and only choice.” is brilliant and eloquently put. It is time healthcare professionals ditch the old methods and accept better biomarkers. By using a test panel, such as WheatBurden®, a healthcare professional can obtain valuable clinical information, not only differentiating possible CeD, non-celiac gluten sensitivity and wheat sensitivity, but also gliadin-related targets of autoimmunity (gut, skin, brain) and infer the severity of intestinal damage. Quickly assessing via a less invasive method, allows for faster implementation of healing protocols, which can arrest further autoimmune reactivity and put the patient on the road to health. https://lnkd.in/eVjkmC6D #gluten101education #gliadintransglutaminasecomplex #wheatburden #neoepitope #celiacdisease