DETERMINATION OF SOME IMMUNOLOGICAL MARKERS AMONG PATIENTS WITH CELIAC DISEASE IN DIWANIYAH PROVINCE

Abstract

Eating gluten causes celiac disease, a systemic immune-mediated illness, in people who are genetically predisposed. Barley, the protein complex known as gluten, is present in wheat, rye, and rye. Celiac disease is characterized by a wide range of clinical signs, a specific serum autoantibody reactivity, and variable small-intestinal mucosal injury. Aim of the study: The study aims to evaluate the role of soluble HLA-G as an immunological marker of CD and other factors in pathogenicity, including pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines: Soluble HLA-G in patient serum, Serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10) in celiac disease patients and the small intestine's tissue inflammatory response. A case-control study of 65 individuals (300 suspected patients and 24 controls) aged 3–73 years was conducted at AL-Diwanyah Educational Hospital to measure serum levels of sHLA-G, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10. Blood samples were processed and stored at -20 °C. sHLA-G levels were measured using ELISA. The study was ethically approved by the University of AL-Qadisiyah. Results: HLA-G, a class I molecule expressed in placental cells, showed significantly higher serum levels in patients (16.57 ± 3.33 pg/ml) compared to controls (5.88 ± 1.97 pg/ml, P ≤ 0.001). Proinflammatory IL-6 levels were also elevated in patients (433.42 ± 40.63 pg/ml vs. 228.02 ± 27.36, P ≤ 0.016), as were anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels (163.94 ± 28.87 pg/ml vs. 66.46 ± 17.89, P < 0.02). Conclusions: Celiac disease is linked to female gender, family history, and high sHLA-G and TNF-α levels.