As reported, TGF-2 is involved in controlling inflammatory responses, activating tissue remodeling, and inducing IgA isotope switching in B cells. The authors speculated that a TGF-2 genetic background capable of influencing TGF-2 production might be involved in CD susceptibility. Actually, the lack of TGF activation induced by antitransglutaminase antibodies is one of the central pathogenetic mechanisms in CD, as suggested by Lionetti et al. The authors' data demonstrate that, despite the functional role of the cytokine, genotype frequencies in CD patients are not different from those observed in age-matched and 95-year-old healthy controls (Table 1).

The most important modification of the immune system in senescence is the filling of the immunologic space with memory and effector cells as a consequence of exposure to a variety of antigens. The continuous attrition caused by clinical and subclinical infections, as well as the continuous exposure to other types of antigens (food, allergens), is likely responsible for chronic immune system activation and inflammation. Immunosenescence and probably morbidity and mortality are accelerated in those subjects who are exposed to an extra burden of antigenic load. Celiac disease is characterized by a sustained inflammatory response leading to intestinal mucosal atrophy and increased exposure of the CD patient to food antigens.

This work was supported by grants from the Ministry of Education, University and Research, ex60% to G.C., C.C., and D.L. D.N. and A.C. are Ph.D. students of the Pathobiology Ph.D. course directed by C.C., of Palermo University. This work is in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Ph.D.

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