New Insights into Cellular Communication in the Small Intestine of Celiac Disease Patients

Celiac disease is a chronic autoimmune disorder impacting the small intestine, affecting approximately 0.5% to 1% of the population. Recent groundbreaking research has provided a detailed map of how various cell types within the small intestine interact and change during the disease. Scientists from Trinity College Dublin, Children’s Health Ireland, and Johnson & Johnson employed advanced single-cell RNA sequencing techniques to analyze over 200,000 individual cells from tissue samples of both individuals with active celiac disease and healthy controls.

This comprehensive cellular atlas revealed significant differences in cell populations and activities in the gut lining (epithelium) and underlying stromal tissue. Notably, there was an increase in stem cells and secretory cells, accompanied by a decrease in nutrient-absorbing cells, aligning with typical damage such as villus flattening and crypt hyperplasia. Stromal cells, particularly fibroblasts, also exhibited increased activity and abundance. Immune proteins like IL-1β and IFN-γ appear to stimulate fibroblasts, promoting changes in the gut structure and contributing to tissue damage.

The findings demonstrate that immune signaling, especially from these proteins, influences stromal and epithelial cell behavior, playing a critical role in the pathology of celiac disease. The study further identified genes that are activated uniquely in diseased tissues, which seem to initiate pathways leading to tissue injury.

Overall, this research enhances our understanding of how gut cells communicate and adapt in response to gluten exposure, paving the way for new therapeutic approaches. The detailed cellular map will support the development of immune-based treatments, offering new hope for individuals affected by celiac disease.

Patrick Walsh from Trinity College Dublin emphasized the importance of patient involvement in this research, noting that the detailed cellular landscape of the inflamed intestine could guide future treatments. Seamus Hussey highlighted the relevance of this work for pediatric patients, and Darren Ruane discussed how these insights could lead to novel therapeutic targets. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in unraveling the complex immune and cellular interactions underlying celiac disease.

For more detailed information, see the original study published in Cell Reports: [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2025.116039].

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-cells-small-intestine-patients-celiac.html