1.Highly purified ω-gliadins from wheat were used to challenge gluten-sensitized individuals. Characteristic responses by mucosal CD3+ and γδ+ lymphocytes were demonstrated. Each lymphocyte subset showed an increase within 8–12 ;h post-challenge, indicating a specific response by the rectal mucosa to this gliadin species.

2.Available sequence data for the ω-gliadins and homologous proteins from barley and rye indicate a common repeating octapeptide motif (consensus PQQPFPQQ). The results indicate, therefore, that the octapeptide repeat, or a contained sequence such as PQQP, plays an important role in the mucosal immunopathology of gluten sensitivity.

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