Well, look here! Seems I was right about part of my theory on Celiac Disease. That an infectous pathogen that looks like gliadian is what turns it on.
In Celiac Disease, a Subset of Autoantibodies against Transglutaminase Binds Toll-Like Receptor 4 and Induces Activation of Monocytes.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... s=16984219
My other part of the theory that I've yet to prove is that the celiac gene was selected because of a deadly pathogen in our past that killed off folks without it.
Oh, and this is all partly related to Microscopic Colitis, at least in my mind.
Mike
In Celiac Disease, a Subset of Autoantibodies against Transg
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Hi Mike,
I'd say your thinking was quite astute. Dr. Fine told me some years ago that he believed the celiac gene originally conferred immunity to pathogens and was therefore selected genetically. He said that those of us with gluten sensitivity have immune systems better able to fight infection, in general, than others. I know this is true for me. I am rarely sick from infectious causes, and when I am, I heal quickly. I have never had a strep throat or a herpes fever blister, despite examining sick kids over many years.
There are models for this - having the gene for sickle cell anemia (SSA) confers some immunity to malaria.
Actually, this ability to mount a rapid and fierce antibody response to infection could be a detriment in the case of a pandemic flu (like the bird flu could become). In the 1918 flu pandemic the youngest and healthiest age groups (like 20-somethings) were more likely to die. This is because the virus is so effective (so virulent) that it provokes a huge response.......and it is the products of that antibody response that actually kill one - the "cytokine storm" so to speak. So those of us who "hyper-respond" might have problems with this kind of bug.
Love,
Polly
I'd say your thinking was quite astute. Dr. Fine told me some years ago that he believed the celiac gene originally conferred immunity to pathogens and was therefore selected genetically. He said that those of us with gluten sensitivity have immune systems better able to fight infection, in general, than others. I know this is true for me. I am rarely sick from infectious causes, and when I am, I heal quickly. I have never had a strep throat or a herpes fever blister, despite examining sick kids over many years.
There are models for this - having the gene for sickle cell anemia (SSA) confers some immunity to malaria.
Actually, this ability to mount a rapid and fierce antibody response to infection could be a detriment in the case of a pandemic flu (like the bird flu could become). In the 1918 flu pandemic the youngest and healthiest age groups (like 20-somethings) were more likely to die. This is because the virus is so effective (so virulent) that it provokes a huge response.......and it is the products of that antibody response that actually kill one - the "cytokine storm" so to speak. So those of us who "hyper-respond" might have problems with this kind of bug.
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.