Molecular biology and coeliac disease.

In clinical and pathological terms our descriptive understanding of coeliac disease is extensive.' In recent years our understanding ofthe immunology ofcoeliac disease, together with that of mucosal immunology in general, has rapidly increased.23 Several basic questions remain, however. What part of wheat gluten is involved in the pathogenesis of coeliac disease? Why are some people predisposed to develop the disease? How is the characteristic pathological lesion pro- duced? Are other environmental factors involved? The application of molecular biological techniques may well illumine our understanding of these questions.