The role of hemochromatosis susceptibility gene mutations in protecting against iron deficiency in celiac disease

The Iron Enigma: Expounding Iron Deficiency in a Pregnant Woman With Hemochromatosis and Celiac Disease

Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is an inherited disorder, characterized by abnormal iron metabolism, resulting in systemic iron overload. The iron deposits in multiple organs including the liver, pancreas, heart, pituitary gland, joint, and skin and causes tissue damages leading to clinical manifestations. On the contrary, celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder associated with genetic and environmental triggers and frequently associated with iron deficiency. Additionally, pregnancy results in a physiological state of increased iron requirement due to volume expansion and fetus growth and development. We present an interesting case of a young female patient with concomitant CD and HH, who developed iron depletion following venesection which was further complicated by pregnancy and the postpartum period. This case highlights the rare co-existence of CD and HH, underscoring the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in managing these concurrent conditions. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of patient education, clinical management, appropriate follow-up, and close monitoring of patients by multidisciplinary teams to establish the correct balance of body iron storage in order to prevent potential complications in a female patient of child-bearing age.

Iron Transporter Protein Expressions in Children with Celiac Disease

Anemia is a frequent finding in children with celiac disease but the detailed pathophysiological mechanisms in the intestine remain obscure. One possible explanation could be an abnormal expression of duodenal iron transport proteins. However, the results have so far been inconsistent. We investigated this issue by comparing immunohistochemical stainings of duodenal cytochrome B (DCYTB), divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1), ferroportin, hephaestin and transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) in duodenal biopsies between 27 children with celiac disease and duodenal atrophy, 10 celiac autoantibody-positive children with potential celiac disease and six autoantibody-negative control children. Twenty out of these 43 subjects had anemia. The expressions of the iron proteins were investigated with regard to saturation and the percentage of the stained area or stained membrane length of the enterocytes. The results showed the stained area of ferroportin to be increased and the saturation of hephaestin to be decreased in celiac disease patients compared with controls. There were no differences in the transporter protein expressions between anemic and non-anemic patients. The present results suggest an iron status-independent alteration of ferroportin and hephaestin proteins in children with histologically confirmed celiac disease.

The role of TMPRSS6 and HFE variants in iron deficiency anemia in celiac disease

We investigated the role of HFE C282Y, H63D, and TMPRSS6 A736V variants in the pathogenesis of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in celiac disease (CD) patients, at diagnosis and after 1 year of gluten-free diet (GFD). Demographic and clinical features were prospectively recorded for all CD patients between 2013 and 2017. C282Y, H63D, and A736V variants were evaluated for CD patients and controls. Finally, 505 consecutive CD patients and 539 age-matched control subjects were enrolled. At diagnosis, 229 CD subjects had IDA (45.3%), with a subgroup of anemic patients (45.4%) presented persistent IDA at follow-up. C282Y allele frequency was significantly increased in CD compared with controls (1.1% vs 0.2%, P = .001), whereas H63D and A736V allele frequencies were similar among patients and controls (P = .92 and .84, respectively). At diagnosis, C282Y variant in anemic CD patients was significantly increased compared to nonanemic group (2% and 0.5%, P = .04). At follow-up, A736V was significantly increased in IDA persistent than in IDA not persistent (57.7% vs 35.2%, P < .0001). CD patients with H63D mutation showed higher Hb, MCV, serum iron, and ferritin levels than subjects without HFE mutations. Decreased hepcidin values were observed in anemic compared to nonanemic subjects at follow-up (1.22 ± 1.14 vs 2.08 ± 2.15, P < .001). This study suggests a protective role of HFE in IDA CD patients and confirms the role of TMPRSS6 in predicting oral iron response modulating hepcidin action on iron absorption. Iron supplementation therapeutic management in CD could depend on TMPRSS6 genotype that could predict persistent IDA despite iron supplementation and GFD.

The evolutionary adaptation of the C282Y mutation to culture and climate during the European Neolithic

OBJECTIVES

The C282Y allele is the major cause of hemochromatosis as a result of excessive iron absorption. The mutation arose in continental Europe no earlier than 6,000 years ago, coinciding with the arrival of the Neolithic agricultural revolution. Here we hypothesize that this new Neolithic diet, which originated in the sunny warm and dry climates of the Middle East, was carried by migrating farmers into the chilly and damp environments of Europe where iron is a critical micronutrient for effective thermoregulation. We argue that the C282Y allele was an adaptation to this novel environment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To address our hypothesis, we compiled C282Y allele frequencies, known Neolithic sites in Europe and climatic data on temperature and rainfall for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Our findings indicate that the geographic cline for C282Y frequency in Europe increases as average temperatures decrease below 16°C, a critical threshold for thermoregulation, with rainy days intensifying the trend.

DISCUSSION

The results indicate that the deleterious C282Y allele, responsible for most cases of hemochromatosis, may have evolved as a selective advantage to culture and climate during the European Neolithic.

Celiac disease-related hepatic injury: Insights into associated conditions and underlying pathomechanisms

BACKGROUND

Celiac disease (CD) is the most common autoimmune enteropathy. Clinical manifestations may range from a typical malabsorption syndrome to several apparently unrelated extra-intestinal symptoms.

AIM

Here we specifically focus on the spectrum of CD-related liver disorders and the underlying pathomechanisms.

METHODS

A computer-based search up to August 2015 was completed using appropriate keywords. References from selected papers were also reviewed and used if relevant.

RESULTS

An unexplained hypertransaminasemia with nonspecific histologic hepatic changes is the most common hepatic presentation. CD however can coexist with a number of liver disorders such as Autoimmune Hepatitis, Autoimmune Cholangitis, Primary Biliary Cirrhosis and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis requiring a specific treatment in addition to gluten-free diet. CD has also been associated with Viral Hepatitis, Fatty Liver, Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis and some severe cryptogenic hepatopaties in the liver transplantation list. Pathomechanisms underlying hepatic injury in CD are multiple, appear still not completely defined and may probably co-occur.

CONCLUSIONS

An ever-increasing number of CD-related liver injuries exist, probably representing a continuum of a same disorder where genetic predisposition, timing, and duration of previous gluten exposure might influence the reversibility of liver damage. Evidences, although not conclusive, support therefore testing for CD also in cryptogenic hepatobiliary conditions where the relationship with CD has not yet been fully investigated.

The role of celiac disease in severity of liver disorders and effect of a gluten free diet on diseases improvement

CONTEXT

Celiac disease (CD) is defined as a permanent intolerance to ingested gluten. The intolerance to gluten results in immune-mediated damage of small intestine mucosa manifested by villous atrophy and crypt hyperplasia. These abnormalities resolve with initiationa gluten-free diet.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

PubMed, Ovid, and Google were searched for full text articles published between 1963 and 2012. The associated keywords were used, and papers described particularly the impact of celiac disease on severity of liver disorder were identified.

RESULTS

Recently evidence has emerged revealingthat celiac disease not only is associated with small intestine abnormalities and malabsorption, but is also a multisystem disorder affecting other systems outside gastrointestinal tract, including musculo-skeletal, cardiovascular and nervous systems. Some correlations have been assumed between celiac and liver diseases. In particular, celiac disease is associated with changes in liver biochemistry and linked to alter the prognosis of other disorders. This review will concentrate on the effect of celiac disease and gluten-free diets on the severity of liver disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

Although GFD effect on the progression of CD associated liver diseases is not well defined, it seems that GFD improves liver function tests in patients with a hypertransaminasemia.

Does hemochromatosis predispose to celiac disease? A study of 29,096 celiac disease patients

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Case reports suggest an association between hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) and celiac disease (CD), but estimates of association are lacking. We estimated the association between HH and CD in a population-based study.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Case-control study. We identified 29,096 individuals with biopsy-verified CD (equal to villous atrophy, Marsh stage III) through biopsy reports from all 28 pathology departments in Sweden. We then investigated the risk of a clinical diagnosis of HH in CD and in 144,522 controls matched for age, sex, county and calendar year. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) for CD in patients with HH.

RESULTS

HH was seen in 30 patients with CD and in 60 matched controls. HH was hence associated with an increased risk of CD (OR = 2.30; 95% CI = 1.53-3.45). Restricting HH to individuals with at least two records of HH, the OR for CD was 2.54 (95% CI = 1.57-4.11), with a similar risk estimate when we only looked at HH diagnosed before CD (and matched date in controls) (OR = 2.64; 95% CI = 1.24-5.60).

CONCLUSION

HH seems to be associated with an increased risk of CD.

Concomitant presentation of collagenous sprue and HFE hemochromatosis

Collagenous sprue (CS) is a progressive malabsorptive disorder characterized by collagen deposition beneath the basement membrane of small bowel epithelium in refractory celiac sprue. CS is a pathologically distinct entity from celiac disease, despite a similar clinical presentation. The etiology of CS is unclear, although there are speculations that CS and celiac disease may share similar pathogenetic pathways. On the other hand, HFE hemochromatosis (HH) is a distinct disease entity. Celiac disease and HH are common HLA-associated genetic disorders in Northern European populations. There are a few case reports linking celiac disease and HH. We present a patient diagnosed with concurrent CS and HH.

Hepatobiliary disorders in celiac disease: an update

This communication reviews recent literature and summarizes hepatobiliary abnormalities that may complicate the clinical course of celiac disease. A wide spectrum of hepatobiliary diseases has been described, including asymptomatic elevations of liver enzyme levels, nonspecific hepatitis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and autoimmune and cholestatic liver disease. Moreover, in the majority of patients, liver enzyme levels will normalize on a gluten-free diet. In addition, celiac disease may be associated with rare hepatic complications, such as hepatic T-cell lymphoma. Because many celiac patients do not have overt gastrointestinal symptoms, a high index of suspicion is required. Simple methods of detecting celiac disease such as serum antibody tests help in the early identification of the disease, thus preventing serious complications of the disorder. The IgG DGP antibody test and IgA tTG antibody test used in combination are an excellent screening test for suspected cases of celiac disease.

Hepatic manifestations of celiac disease

Different hepatic and biliary tract disorders may occur with celiac disease. Some have been hypothesized to share genetic or immunopathogenetic factors, such as primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and autoimmune hepatitis. Other hepatic changes in celiac disease may occur with malnutrition resulting from impaired nutrient absorption, including hepatic steatosis. In addition, celiac disease may be associated with rare hepatic complications, such as hepatic T-cell lymphoma.

The liver in celiac disease

Celiac disease is a common (1% prevalence) chronic immune-mediated disorder of the small intestine induced by dietary wheat, barley, and rye. Several hepatic disorders have been described in association with celiac disease. Isolated hypertransaminasemia with nonspecific histologic changes in a liver biopsy is the commonest hepatic presentation of celiac disease. A gluten-free diet normalizes liver enzymes and histologic changes in most patients. Moreover, celiac disease can coexist with autoimmune liver disorders such as autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Celiac disease has increasingly been reported with a variety of other liver diseases. Thus, the hepatologist needs to consider celiac disease in the differential of abnormal liver blood tests and to be aware of the clinical implications of this frequent disease in patients with liver disorders. The possible mechanisms of liver injury and those common factors that explain the association of celiac disease with liver disorders are discussed. The aims of this article are (1) to review the spectrum and pathogenesis of liver injury related to celiac disease and (2) to provide direction to those caring for patients with chronic liver diseases regarding the detection and effective treatment of celiac disease.

The celtic coincidence--the frequency and clinical characterisation of hereditary haemochromatosis in patients with coeliac disease

BACKGROUND

Hereditary Haemochromatosis (HH) and Coeliac disease (CD) are common disorders in Northern European populations, particularly the Irish population.

AIMS

To investigate whether there was increased frequency of the two common HFE gene mutations, C282Y and H63D, associated with HH amongst a cohort of CD patients, and to determine the penetrance of the HH associated genotypes in this cohort.

METHODS

HFE genotypes of a cohort of CD patients were determined using standard PCR techniques. HFE allele frequencies were compared to those of a previously reported, ethnically similar, cohort of 800 neonates, using Fishers exact test. Patients with HH-associated genotypes were subsequently evaluated.

RESULTS

The C282Y and H63D allele frequencies, 24/222 (11%) and 28/222 (13%) respectively, in the CD patients were similar to those of the neonatal group, 171/1600 (11%) and 242/1600 (15%). Eight patients had HH-associated genotypes, of which two demonstrated biochemical evidence of iron overload.

CONCLUSION

The HFE mutations associated with Hereditary Haemochromatosis are not more common in Irish CD patients.

Hepatobiliary and pancreatic disorders in celiac disease

A variety of hepatic and biliary tract disorders may complicate the clinical course of celiac disease. Some of these have been hypothesized to share common genetic factors or have a common immunopathogenesis, such as primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and autoimmune forms of hepatitis or cholangitis. Other hepatic changes in celiac disease may be associated with malnutrition resulting from impaired nutrient absorption, including hepatic steatosis. In addition, celiac disease may be associated with rare hepatic complications, such as hepatic T-cell lymphoma. Finally, pancreatic exocrine function may be impaired in celiac disease and represent a cause of treatment failure.

The C282Y mutation may have been positively selected as it mitigates the infertility of celiac disease

Celiac disease and C282Y homozygous hemochromatosis have a similar increasing incidence across Europe. Both have gradients of frequency which increase from Turkey to North West Europe and culminate with a high frequency in Ireland. These two gradients follow the path of the Neolithic settlers who reached the edge of Europe at Ireland. Celiac disease and C282Y hereditary hemochromatosis have opposite effects on iron absorption and probably on the absorption of some other divalent metals including copper. The C282Y mutation is estimated to be some 2000 years old. Celiac disease is likely a much older disorder. The C282Y mutation may have been positively selected for as it increases absorption of divalent metal ions in celiac disease and thus has a mitigating effect on the infertility which may be associated with celiac disease.

Occult celiac disease prevents penetrance of hemochromatosis

AIM: To report a patient with C282Y homozygocity, depleted body iron and intestinal atrophy caused by celiac disease (CD) who experienced resolution of the enteropathy with subsequent normalization of iron metabolism upon gluten-free diet.

METHODS: To obtain information on the tissue distribution and quantitative expression of proteins involved in duodenal iron trafficking, we determined the expression of divalent-metal transporter 1 (DMT1), ferroportin 1 (FP1) and transferrin receptor (TfR1) by means of immunohist-ochemistry and real-time PCR in duodenal biopsies of this patient.

RESULTS: Whereas in hereditary hemochromatosis patients without CD, DMT1 expression was up-regulated leading to excessive uptake of iron, we identified a significant reduction in protein and mRNA expression of DMT1 as a compensatory mechanism in this patient with HH and CD.

CONCLUSION: Occult CD may compensate for increased DMT1 expression in a specific subset of individuals with homozygous C282Y mutations in the hemochromatosis (HFE) gene, thus contributing to the low penetrance of HH.

Coeliac disease in South Asians resident in Britain: comparison with white Caucasian coeliac patients

BACKGROUND

The catchment population of our hospital is ethnically diverse and we have seen a number of patients of South Asian origin with coeliac disease. We have suspected that there are differences compared with white Caucasian coeliacs, especially with respect to iron-deficiency anaemia and vitamin D deficiency at presentation.

AIMS

To compare the clinical and laboratory features of South Asian adult coeliac patients with adult white Caucasian coeliacs.

METHODS

We reviewed the notes of patients attending the adult coeliac clinic over the past 10 years. All patients were older than 16 years at diagnosis. There were 40 South Asians and 90 white Caucasians. Symptoms, haematology, biochemistry, endomysial antibody status, HLA alleles and small bowel histology at presentation were compared between the two racial groups.

RESULTS

There were significant differences between the racial groups. South Asians were younger at presentation than the Caucasian patients (mean age 27 years compared with 47 years respectively, P<0.0001); they were less likely to have 'irritable bowel syndrome' symptoms (P<0.01), but more likely to have features of vitamin D deficiency (P<0.03). Their haemoglobin (P<0.05), mean cell volume (P<0.0004), serum iron (P<0.01), transferrin saturation (P<0.05), serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (P<0.002), and levels were lower, while serum alkaline phosphatase levels were higher (P<0.04) than in white Caucasian coeliac patients. There were no differences with respect to serum folate, vitamin B12, serum calcium, alanine aminotransferase and small bowel histology. IgA class endomysial antibody positivity was similar in the two groups (88.5% for South Asians compared with 73.5% for white Caucasians). White Caucasian patients were significantly more likely to be DQ2-positive than the South Asian patients (97.2% compared with 83.3%, P=0.02).

CONCLUSION

South Asians with coeliac disease are less likely to present with 'irritable bowel syndrome' symptoms, but more likely to have features of vitamin D deficiency and iron deficiency, and have a higher alkaline phosphatase than white Caucasians. The differences in HLA alleles seen in South Asians with coeliac disease compared with white Caucasian patients suggests that among the South Asians, non-HLA regions may play a stronger role in disease susceptibility and presentation.

Celiac disease in patients with an affected member, type 1 diabetes, iron-deficiency, or osteoporosis?

Celiac disease (CD) may be a much under recognized condition, in part because it is not considered in those patients at high risk or in clinical conditions that may be a manifestation of CD. Screening high-risk groups may reveal a higher prevalence than seen in the general population. Several diseases have been described to have an association with CD that may be greater than by chance alone. The presence of autoimmune conditions such as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (T1DM) or a family history of CD or dermatitis herpetiformis may increase the risk of coexisting CD. The prevalence of CD may be increased in certain patient groups, including the following: osteoporosis or low bone mass or iron-deficiency anemia. Many studies, including population-based work, suggest a prevalence of CD of 3%-7% of T1DM and 4%-10% of first-degree family members. Anemia and osteoporosis are common in patients with newly diagnosed CD. Conversely, CD is common in referral populations with those conditions but makes a relatively small contribution to the overall community prevalence of anemia or postmenopausal osteoporosis. Most screen-found patients tend to have little or no gastrointestinal symptoms. In conclusion, significant reservoirs of CD can be found in some at-risk groups, such as those with T1DM, family members, and referred patients with osteoporosis and anemia. It is not clear what impact CD has on the quality of life of these individuals.

Coeliac disease and hereditary haemochromatosis: association and implications

Coeliac disease and hereditary haemochromatosis are genetic disorders paradoxically associated with altered intestinal absorption of iron. Hereditary haemochromatosis is the most common autosomal recessive disease in the Caucasian population and is characterised by an iron overload state. Coeliac disease, or gluten sensitive enteropathy, on the other hand is frequently associated with iron deficiency anaemia. We report the cases of two patients who developed both coeliac disease and hereditary haemochromatosis. We review the literature of this rare association and examine how the clinical presentation is modified by their co-existence and the potential genetic linkage of these two disorders.

New developments in celiac disease

Celiac disease remains a challenge to the clinician and scientist. It is clearly more prevalent than was previously suspected. Much interest is seen in identifying the genetic factors, which predispose to disease and the environmental agents that can trigger it. Genome-wide searches have identified a number of chromosomal susceptibility loci. Specific gliadin epitopes are being analyzed. New diagnostic options include the tissue transglutaminase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Neurologic disease and bone disease are intriguing complications of celiac disease and are gradually being defined.