Celiac disease is an autoimmune response to consuming gluten, a protein often found in wheat, barley, and rye. Once triggered, the immune system causes an inflammatory response, damaging the lining of the small intestine, known as villi. A close up view of a single intestinal villus shows an inflammatory immune response with helper T cells, activated by the presence of gluten (yellow), releasing cytokines (pink) and activating killer T cells to attack nearby enterocytes. Damage to the epithelial lining causes villus stunting and hinders nutrient absorption, resulting in symptoms such as abdominal pain, malnutrition, fatigue, and anaemia. |