Anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies bind to trophoblast cells and promote apoptosis: can contribute to gyneco-obstetric complications of celiac disease?

C. SÓÑORA; L. FRACCAROLI; F. MUÑOZ; A. HERNÁNDEZ; R. RAMHORST; C. PÉREZ LEIRÓS

Congreso; 3rd Latin-American Symposium of Reproductive Immunology and 1st Meeting of the Latin American Chapter of the American Society for Reproductive Immunology; 2011

Tissue transglutaminase (tTG; EC2.3.2.13) was identified as the main autoantigen in Celiac disease and detection of antibodies against tTG is widely used as a diagnostic indicator. tTG play several biological functions in many tissues, some of them mediated by the transamidating activity (e.g.tissue repair, stabilization of extracellular matrix) while others are independent of this reaction (e.g. apoptosis and clearance of apoptotic cells). CD is often associated with impaired pregnancy. As tTG is expressed in both endometrium and trophoblast, it can be stated that antibodies against tTG developed during untreated disease could interfer with its biological functions and play a role in pathology. We analyzed if autoantibodies against tTG could affect enzyme transamidating activity and apoptosis of trophoblastic cells. Sera from women with antecedents of gynaecological ⁄obstetric disorders significantly induced higher inhibition of tTG activity than sera derived from healthy donors or celiac women without these type of complaints . We verified for the first time that sera from women with prior miscarriages recognize placental tissue and alter tTG transamidating activity in vitro Results show that some celiac sera have a significant synergic effect on the apoptosis induced by protein deprivation. It is feasible that depending on fine specificity, a proapoptotic effect of autoantibodies could contribute to impaired implantation. These results support the idea that tTG impairment function in the uterus and embryo– maternal interface could contribute gynecological and obstetric disorders. Sera from women with antecedents of gynaecological ⁄obstetric disorders significantly induced higher inhibition of tTG activity than sera derived from healthy donors or celiac women without these type of complaints . We verified for the first time that sera from women with prior miscarriages recognize placental tissue and alter tTG transamidating activity in vitro Results show that some celiac sera have a significant synergic effect on the apoptosis induced by protein deprivation. It is feasible that depending on fine specificity, a proapoptotic effect of autoantibodies could contribute to impaired implantation. These results support the idea that tTG impairment function in the uterus and embryo– maternal interface could contribute gynecological and obstetric disorders.