Care Beyond Treatment
A 2017 study published in Science focused on
Recent research from Dr. Jabri and other researchers
reovirus as a trigger for celiac disease (and other
and physicians at the University of Chicago published in Cell found that the chronic inflammation in the
autoimmune disorders) and proved that intestinal viruses can induce the immune system to overreact to
small intestine caused when someone with celiac
gluten and trigger the development of celiac disease.
disease eats gluten can lead to permanent damage
Using two different reovirus strains, the researchers
to the intestine. The research found that chronic
showed how genetic differences between viruses
inflammation in celiac disease displaces the tissue-
can change how they interact with the immune
resident lymphocytes normally found in the healthy
system. The research has now put the experts at the
intestine and replaces them with new immune cells
Digestive Diseases Center in the position to precisely
that show sensitivity to gluten.
define the viral factors responsible for the induction
The study showed that chronic inflammation in
of the autoimmune response.
patients with celiac disease permanently scars the
The new research raises the possibility that vaccines
community of immune cells in the small intestine,
targeting viruses infecting the intestine could one
which may have a lasting impact on how the gut
day be used to protect children at risk for celiac and
responds in the future.
other autoimmune disorders.
The Possibility of a Vaccine Other recent research led by Dr. Jabri looks at the connection between celiac disease and reovirus, a common, but otherwise harmless virus.
Bana Jabri, MD, PhD
For referrals and consultations: 1 (844) UC GI DOC
For more information visit: UChicagoMedicine.org/GI
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