Genetic and environmental factors affecting pathogenicity of wheat as related to celiac disease

• Prolamins extracted from durum wheat lines were in vitro partially digested.
• Peptides containing sequences involved in celiac disease were quantified.
• Strong differences were observed between different genotypes.
• A weak correlation was found between pathogenic peptides and gluten content.
• There is possibility of a varietal selection to reduce exposition to toxic and immunogenic peptides.

Gluten proteins are the basis of the rheological properties of wheat derived products, such as bread and pasta. Their particular amino acidic composition (high proline and glutamine content) is responsible for the poor gluten digestibility. Some of the high molecular weight peptides that are generated in the gastrointestinal tract are involved in an autoimmune entheropathy called celiac disease. In this work we compared the amount of peptides containing sequences involved in adaptive and immune responses, which were produced after simulated gastrointestinal digestion of prolamins extracted from different durum wheat varieties and in-bred lines. Peptides containing sequences involved in celiac disease were quantified using an isotopically labeled peptide as internal standard. The results demonstrated a very high variability in the amount of pathogenic peptides produced by different lines, showing a strong contribution of the genetic component. At the same time, the variability in total protein and gluten content was lower; the weak correlation between pathogenic peptides and the amount of gluten proteins gives rise to the possibility of a varietal selection aimed to maintain good rheological properties, but simultaneously reducing the exposure to peptides eliciting an immunological response in celiac predisposed subjects. These varieties might be useful for celiac disease prevention.