Dr. Guoxian Wei is Published in American Journal of Gastroenterology for a Paper on Celiac Disease
Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology Dr. Guoxian Wei is first author on a paper titled, “Identification of Pseudolysin (lasB) as an Aciduric Gluten-Degrading Enzyme with High Therapeutic Potential for Celiac Disease,” published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology, which has an impact factor of 9.2. The paper was published online in April of 2015.
Dr. Wei and his colleagues identified microorganisms in human saliva which have potential gluten-degrading properties. This research could result in the development of novel therapeutics for people with Celiac Disease. Additional contributors to this paper included Na Tian ORAL BIO 14 (PhD); Adriana C. Valery PERIO 15; Yi Zhong ORAL BIO 15 (MScD), ORAL BIO 17 (PhD); Director of the Institute of Translational Immunology at Johannes-Gutenberg-University in Mainz, Germany Dr. Detlef Schuppan; and Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology Dr. Eva Helmerhorst.
Celiac Disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder that manifests itself in the small intestine of genetically predisposed individuals. The prevalence of CD is high in many western and developing countries affecting between 0.5% and 2.5% of the population. CD inflammation is triggered by gluten peptides which are abundant in many popular foods, specifically those containing wheat, rye and barley. Gluten peptides are difficult to digest by the major enzymes in the human gastrointestinal tract, resulting in both short and long term health issues.
Dr. Wei and his colleagues evaluated human feces and saliva for the presence of gluten-degrading microorganisms. In this paper, they reported on the discovery, isolation and identification of a gluten-degrading microbial species from feces and the isolation and characterization of a gluten-degrading protease, an enzyme which breaks down peptide bonds in salivary fluid, in human saliva. The protease of interest to Dr. Wei is called LasB protease and is produced by P. aeruginosa, a common type of bacteria. LasB protease is active at pH levels of 2.0–4.0, establishing it as a novel aciduric gluten-degrading enzyme. Its cleavage specificity is different from other enzymes that are currently being pursued for clinical development. The low pH activity of these enzymes makes them unique and a promising candidate to aid in gluten digestion during gastric passage. Based on this work, Dr. Wei and his colleagues propose that utilizing LasB protease in luminal enzyme therapy could be a potential therapeutic option for people with CD.
Currently, the only treatment option for CD is a very restrictive gluten-free diet. The work of Dr. Wei and his colleagues could have huge implications for treatment and could greatly benefit the sufferers of this increasingly prevalent disorder. Dr. Wei said, “This investigation is the fruit of our team work. I would like to very much thank the team leader, Dr. Eva Helmerhorst, for her supervision and guidance. And to also give many thanks to Na Tian, Adriana C. Valery, Yi Zhong, and Detlef Schuppan for their important contributions to this study.”
“I would like to congratulate Dr. Wei, Dr. Helmerhorst, and the rest of the team for their groundbreaking research in discovering a treatment for Celiac Disease,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. “The quality of their work strongly reflects the commitment to excellence in research that the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine represents.”