LAUSR

Celiac Disease (CD) is a chronic illness characterized by an inflammatory process triggered by gluten protein intake. Recent evidence has suggested that the lower relative abundance of bifidobacteria in the intestinal lumen may be associated with CD. Herein, we assessed the effect of the Bifidobacterium species B. bifidum, B. longum, B. breve, B. animalis alone and also a Bifidobacterium consortium on the digestion of intact gluten proteins (gliadins and glutenins) and the associated immunomodulatory responses elicited by the resulting peptides. The cytotoxicity and pro-inflammatory responses were evaluated through the activation of NF-kB p65 and the expression of cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β in Caco-2 cell cultures exposed to gluten-derived peptides. The peptides induced a clear reduction of cytotoxic response and pro-inflammatory marker levels compared to the gluten fragments generated during noninoculated gastrointestinal digestion. These results highlight the possible use of probiotics based on bifidobacteria as a prospective treatment for CD.