Large supramolecular structures of 33-mer gliadin peptide activate toll-like receptors in macrophages

The 33-mer fragment of gliadin is directed involved in celiac disease and probably in other immune pathologies associated with gliadin, such as to gluten sensitivity. Here, we showed that 33-mer rod-like oligomers are nucleation sites for protofilament formation and considering microscopic evidence that 33-mer square-like oligomers might be transient structures important towards the protofilaments formation. Moreover, large supramolecular structures of 33-mer are responsible for the overexpression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) via specific Toll-like Receptor (TLR) 2 and 4. Our findings are paving new perspectives in the understanding of gluten-related disorders before the onset of inflammation.237