The expansion of CD14+CD163+subpopulation of monocytes and myeloid cells-associated cytokine imbalance; candidate diagnostic biomarkers for celiac disease (CD)

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic autoimmune disorder of small intestine against dietary gluten, among genetically predisposed individuals. Monocytes are versatile innate immune cells involved in the regulation of inflammation, and strongly involved in the intestinal immunity. However, the role of monocytes and their subtypes in CD is not well demonstrated. Methods Here, we assessed the polarization of CD14+ monocytes by evaluating the M1 (CD16) and M2 (CD163) markers by flowcytometry, their soluble forms (sCD16 and sCD163), and the serum levels of IL-10, IL-12, TGF-beta, and TNF-alpha cytokines using ELISA method, among 30 CD patients and 30 sex- and age-matched healthy subjects (HS). We also analyzed the diagnostic values of all variables with significant differences. Results CD14+CD163+ monocytes were more frequent in CD patients than HS, while CD14+CD16+ monocytes were higher in HS. IL-10and TNF-alpha increased, and TGF-beta expression was decreased among CD patients. The sCD16 serum levels were elevated in patients, while sCD163 was higher but not significant among CD patients. CD163+/CD16+ and IL-10/IL-12 ratios were higher in CD patients, and TGF beta/TNF alpha ratio was higher in HS group. IL-10, CD14+CD163+, TNF-alpha, and IL-10/IL-12 ratios with the AUC over 0.7 were introduced as fair diagnostic markers. Our findings revealed that the M2 (CD14+CD163+) monocytes were more frequent among CD patients, and the cytokine balance was disturbed. Conclusion According to the significant functional diversities of monocyte subtypes between CD patients and HS group, these immunologic markers could be introduced as specific diagnostic biomarkers for CD.

Automated summary

The study found that CD patients have more M2 monocytes and a disturbed cytokine balance. This suggests that these immunological markers could serve as specific diagnostic biomarkers for CD.