Endomysial antibody production is not related to histological damage after in vitro gluten challenge

Objective To determine whether in vitro induction of endomysial antibodies is an in vitro marker of coeliac toxicity. Design To determine whether in vitro endomysial incubation correlate with antibodies induced by gliadin histological damage induced by in vitro gliadin challenge. Methods Small-bowel organ cultures from seven patients with treated coeliac disease were incubated in an organ culture system with gliadin; histological damage was morphometrically evaluated and endomysial antibodies were measured in the organ culture supernatant by indirect immunofluorescence. Results Although incubation with gliadin caused histological damage, there was no detectable production of endomysial antibody. Conclusions In vitro, endomysial antibody induction cannot be used as a marker of coeliac toxicity. Endomysial antibodies are not necessary for generating the histological lesion of coeliac disease. (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.