• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.397-404
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• 2020

Purpose: Synbiotics can alleviate some intestinal pathologies or prevent trigger mechanisms for some diseases such as celiac disease (CD). If patients with high levels of anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies have normal duodenal histology, they are followed as potential CD patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of synbiotic use on the blood levels of anti-tTG antibodies in children. Methods: Eighty-two patients with high anti-tTG levels were included in this study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. The synbiotic group was treated with a daily dose of a synbiotic including multi-strain probiotics for 20 days. The control group was not administered any medication. Anti-tTG values at baseline and repeat measurements and the percentage change in anti-tTG levels between groups were compared. Results: The anti-tTG level at baseline was 36 U/mL (interquartile range [IQR], 26.4-68 U/mL) in the synbiotic group, and it decreased significantly to 13 U/mL (IQR, 6.5-27.5 U/mL) after 20 days (p<0.05). The anti-tTG level at baseline was 46 U/mL (IQR, 31-89 U/mL) in the control group, which also decreased significantly to 23 U/mL (IQR, 7-41 U/mL) after 20 days (p<0.05). Anti-tTG levels exhibited 73% and 56% decreases in the synbiotic and control groups, respectively (p<0.05). Conclusion: It may be speculated that a synbiotic supplementation can contribute to decreasing anti-tTG levels in children with potential CD.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.121-128
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• 2006

Maitotoxin (MTX) is known as one of the most potent marine toxins involved in Ciguatera poisoning, but intracellular signaling pathways caused by MTX was not fully understood. Thus, we have investigated whether intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in MTX-induced cellular responses in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. MTX induced a dose-dependent increase of intracellular [$Ca^{2+}$]. MTX stimulated the production of intracellular ROS in a dose- and time-dependent manner, which was suppressed by BAPTA-AM, an intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ chelator. Ionomycin also elevated the ROS production in a dose-dependent manner. MTX elevated transamidation activity in a time-dependent manner and the activation was largely inhibited by transfection of tissue transglutaminase siRNA. The activation of tissue transglutaminase and ERK1/2 by MTX was suppressed by BAPTA-AM or ROS scavengers. In addition, MTX-induced cell death was significantly delayed by BAPTA-AM or a ROS scavenger. These results suggest that [$Ca^{2+}$]-dependent generation of intracellular ROS, at least in part, play an important role in MTX-stimulated cellular responses, such as activation of tTGase, ERK phosphorylation, and induction of cell death, in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.307-313
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• 2012

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of glucomannan (GMN), carrageenan (CAR), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and transglutaminase-B (TGB) on the quality and storage properties of pork patties manufactured with pork skin connective tissue during 21 d of storage at $4^{\circ}C$. Results showed that CIE color values like lightness, redness and yellowness did not differ significantly among the pork patties. Sensory attributes also did not differ between the treatments (P>0.05). However, cooking loss was significantly lower in the group with added GMN, CAR, CMC, and TGB compared to the control at 21 d of storage. The shear force value of GMN and TGB were lower than the control at 21 d of storage (P<0.05). The pork patties added with GMN and TGB had lower thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values than the control at 1 or 21 d of storage (P<0.05). Volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) values of all treatment samples was lower than the control at 21 d of storage (P<0.05). Therefore, result of cooking loss suggested that the decrease in shear force in GMN and TGB were due to higher moisture retention. Also, the pork skin connective tissue with added GMN and TGB decreased lipid oxidation of pork patties.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.350-357
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate a possible association between the anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody (anti-tTG) titer and stage of duodenal mucosal damage and assess a possible cut-off value of anti-tTG at which celiac disease (CD) may be diagnosed in children in conjunction with clinical judgment. Methods: This observational study was conducted at a gastroenterology clinic in a tertiary hospital from April 2012 to May 2013. Seventy children between 6-months and 18-years-old with suspected CD underwent celiac serology and duodenal biopsy. Statistical analyses were done using SPSS 16. Diagnostic test values were determined for comparing the anti-tTG titer with duodenal biopsy. An analysis of variance and Tukey-Kramer tests were performed for comparing the means between groups. A receiver operating characteristics curve was plotted to determine various cut-off values of anti-tTG. Results: The mean antibody titer increased with severity of Marsh staging (p<0.001). An immunoglobulin (Ig) A-tTG value at 115 AU/mL had 76% sensitivity and 100% specificity with a 100% positive predictive value (PPV) and 17% negative predictive value (NPV) for diagnosis of CD (p<0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75-1). Conclusion: There is an association between the anti-tTG titer and stage of duodenal mucosal injury in children with CD. An anti-tTG value of 115 AU/mL (6.4 times the upper normal limit) had 76% sensitivity, 100% specificity, with a 100% PPV, and 17% NPV for diagnosing CD (95% CI, 0.75-1). This cut-off may be used in combination with clinical judgment to diagnose CD.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.160-166
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• 2016

To provide a basis for a homogeneous fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) immunoassay for celiac disease, we carried out a FRET experiment using guinea pig tissue transglutaminase (tTG) and antibodies to tTG (anti-tTG) purified from rat serum. Fluorescein was utilized as the probe, and a nonfluorescent dye, QSY 7 served as the quencher. We labeled anti-tTG and tTG with fluorescein isothiocyanate and QSY 7 succinimidyl ester, respectively. Fluorescein-labeled anti-tTG was the donor, and QSY 7-labeled tTG was the acceptor of the FRET experiment. When we titrated fluorescein-labeled anti-tTG with QSY 7-labeled tTG, we observed a large decrease in the steady-state fluorescence intensity, which was due to strong FRET from fluorescein-labeled anti-tTG to QSY 7-labeled tTG. Using time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, we could also observe a decrease in the fluorescence lifetime, which confirms the steady-state data. We expect that these results might be useful in the development of a novel fluorescence immunoassay for an easy screening and follow-up of celiac patients.

• BMB Reports
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.185-191
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• 2004

Tissue transglutaminase (tTGase) regulates various biological processes, including extracellular matrix organization, cellular differentiation, and apoptosis. Here we report the protective role of tTGase in the cell death that is induced by the tumor necrosis factor $\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$) and ceramide, a product of the TNF-$\alpha$ signaling pathway, in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Treatment with retinoic acid (RA) induced the differentiation of the neuroblastoma cells with the formation of extended neurites. Immunostaining and Western blot analysis showed the tTGase expression by RA treatment. TNF-$\alpha$ or $C_2$ ceramide, a cell permeable ceramide analog, induced cell death in normal cells, but cell death was largely inhibited by the RA treatment. The inhibition of tTGase by the tTGase inhibitors, monodansylcadaverine and cystamine, eliminated the protective role of RA-treatment in the cell death that is caused by TNF-$\alpha$ or $C_2$-ceramide. In addition, the co-treatment of TNF-$\alpha$ and cycloheximide ecreased the protein level of tTGase and cell viability in the RA-treated cells, supporting the role of tTGase in the protection of cell death. DNA fragmentation was also induced by the co-treatment of TNF-$\alpha$ and cycloheximide. These results suggest that tTGase expressed by RA treatment plays an important role in the protection of cell death caused by TNF-$\alpha$ and ceramide.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.69 no.5
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• pp.337-347
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• 2010

Background: Transglutaminase-2 (TG-2) has been reported to play an important role in the process of fibrosis. However, TG-2 studies on fibroproliferation of acute lung injury (ALI) are absent. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of TG-2 in the fibroproliferation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. Methods: The male C57BL/6 mice of 5 weeks age were divided into 3 groups; control group (n=30) in which $50{\mu}L$ of saline was given intratracheally (IT), LPS group (n=30) in which LPS 0.5 mg/kg/$50{\mu}L$ of saline was given IT, and LPS+Cyst group treated with intraperitoneal 200 mg/kg of cystamine, competitive inhibitor of TG-2, after induction of ALI by LPS. TG-2 activity and nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$ were measured in lung tissue homogenate. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}1$ were measured using bronchoalveolar lavage fluids. Histopathologic ALI score and Mallory's phosphotunistic acid hematoxylin (PTAH) for collagen and fibronectin deposition were performed. Results: The TG-2 activities in the LPS group were significantly higher than the control and LPS+Cyst groups (p<0.05). The TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ concentrations and $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity were lower in the LPS+Cyst group than the LPS group (p<0.05). The LPS+Cyst group showed lower MPO, ALI score, TGF-${\beta}1$ concentration, and Mallory's PTAH stain than the LPS group, but the differences were not significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: Inhibition of TG-2 activity in the LPS-induced ALI prevented early inflammatory parameters, but had limited effects on late ALI and fibroproliferative parameters.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.312-320
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• 2022

Purpose: Screening serologic tests are important tools for the diagnosis of celiac disease (CD). Immunoglobulin (Ig)G anti-deamidated gliadin peptide (anti-DGP) is a relatively new autoantibody thought to have good diagnostic accuracy, comparable to that of anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) antibody. Methods: Pediatric patients (n=86) with a clinical suspicion of CD were included. Duodenal biopsy, anti-tTG, and IgG anti-DGP antibody tests were performed. The patients were divided into CD and control groups based on the pathological evaluation of duodenal biopsies. The diagnostic accuracy of serological tests was determined. Results: IgA anti-tTG and IgG anti-DGP antibodies were positive in 86.3% and 95.4% of patients, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of the IgA anti-tTG test were 86.3%, 50.0%, and 68.6%, respectively, and those of the IgG anti-DGP test were 95.4%, 85.7%, and 90.7%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74-0.91) for IgA anti-tTG test and 0.93 (95% CI, 0.86-0.97) for IgG anti-DGP test. The comparison of IgA anti-tTG and IgG anti-DGP ROC curves showed a higher sensitivity and specificity of the IgG anti-DGP test. Conclusion: IgG anti-DGP is a reliable serological test for CD diagnosis in children. High tTG and DGP titers in the serum are suggestive of severe duodenal atrophy. The combined use of IgA anti-tTG and IgG anti-DGP tests for the initial screening of CD can improve diagnostic sensitivity.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.107-119
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• 1998

This study was designed to investigate the appearence and the characteristics of the apoptotic cells and the process of the joint cavity formation in mouse knee joint. Fetal mouse knee joints from 15 to 19 days of gestation were used. Paraffin-embedded serial sections, stained with H & E for light microscopic observation, Epon 812 embedded thin sections for electron microscopic observation and Lowicryl HM 20 embedded thin sections for immune-electron microscopic observation were prepared. Monoclonal antibodies to $\beta-tubulin$ and polyclonal antibodies to tissue transglutaminase were used for immune-electron microscopic study. The results obtained were as follows. 1. At 15 days of gestation, blood vessels, which have invaded in the mesenchymal cells, were present in the synovium, to form the joint cavity in the future. 2. At 16 days of gestation, the joint cleft was first appeared and several RBCs were present in the joint cleft. The invasion of blood vessels into the joint cleft was continuing, and apoptotic cells were present in the inner cell layer, adjacent to the joint cleft. Necrotic cells were also present in the outer cell layer; they were present 18 days of gestation, but apoptotic cells did not appear after 17 days of gestation. 3. In the apoptotic cells, transglutaminase were localized around vacuoles and the marginal site of the cytoplasm. 4. In the apoptotic cells, tubulin was around the endoplasmic reticulum and the marginal site of the cytoplasm. In the late stage of apoptotic cells, tubulin was localized diffusely in the cytoplasm. Tubulin was also strongly labeled around in the cytoplasm of the neighboring cell at which the apoptotic body was phagocytosed. Tubulin labeled particles were apparently increased in the seperated apoptotic bodies. On the basis of the above findings, it is proposed that during the development of the mouse knee joint, blood vessel invasion first occurs and then apoptosis and cell necrosis follow it. In the apoptotic cell, present in the synovium of the developing knee joint of the mouse. it is suggested that the redistribution of tubulin is associated with apoptotic process. And transglutaminase overexpressed in the apoptotic cell.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.269-272
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• 2013

Association between celiac disease and intussusception has been reported in adult. Although intussusception is common in children, it rarely has been reported in association with celiac disease. Two children, 5 and 7 years old, with celiac disease are reported here, whose initial presentation was intussusception prior to investigation for concomitant failure to thrive. They presented with acute and severe abdominal distention with vomiting, and donuts and pseudo- kidney appearance in abdominal ultrasonography. One patient's intussusception had reducted spontaneously, however the other had required surgery. In investigation for concomitant failure to thrive, tissue transglutaminase levels were very high and duodenal biopsies revealed celiac disease. Thus celiac testing is recommended in children with intussusception and growth failure.