Autoimmune Profile (Gastrointestinal) Test Cost & Procedure

The abnormal response of a particular immune system to autoantigens is known as autoimmunity. It is uncertain what triggers the identification of one's own determinants, receptors, and cell products as antigens, which is followed by the activation of T and B lymphocytes. The presence of immune-competent cells in the tissue, an excess of cytokines that promote inflammation, and plasmocyte production of autoantibodies are all indications of an autoimmune process. Based on the source of the autoantigen and the organs that are the target of the corresponding autoantibodies, autoimmune disorders are categorised as systemic or organ-specific.

Mucosal physiology of the gastrointestinal tract

Microbiota's function

The interaction between the intestinal immune system, including innate and adaptive immune mechanisms, and the microbiota is bidirectional: immune cell activity controls the composition, localization, and attachment of commensal microbiota to epithelial cells, while microorganisms influence the activity of cells found in the epithelial cell monolayer. During vaginal birth, the microbiota is transferred to the newborn babies. It is clear that having a caesarean section prevents contact with the vaginal milieu, which led to different microbiota. The innate and adaptive immune systems connected to the gut mucous membrane are impacted by the colonisation of the intestine during birth.

Mucous membrane immune system

 One of our defence mechanisms against harmful microorganisms that are ingested along with food into the intestinal lumen is the mucous membrane. Its primary function is to control how the immune system reacts to infections and how the commensal microbiota maintains homeostasis. The epithelial layer is made up of many cells, including epithelial cells, M cells, Paneth cells, and goblet cells, each of which has a distinct role in the generation of mucus. There are various in situ maturation stages when the cells go from the crypts to the epithelial layer's surface. Additionally, some results imply that interactions between commensal microbes and epithelial cells help to maintain homeostasis and enhance the body's response to infectious pathogens.

Function of IgA

In the lamina propria, isolated lymphoid follicles (ILF), and subepithelial dome (SED) of Peyer's patches in the intestine wall, B cells and plasma cells produce dimeric, secretory IgA (sIgA). The polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR), which IgA binds to, helps it move through epithelial cells and be released into the intestinal lumen. When IgG and IgM replace sIgA, clinical symptoms and disturbances of gut microbiota homeostasis occur in patients with isolated IgA deficiency, which is the basis for the data about the role of sIgA. Currently, the sIgA involvement is well known. Pathogens are blocked from attaching to epithelial cells and invading intestinal tissue by sIgA molecule-bound pathogens. sIgA activity includes