Neutral mucins in coeliac disease.

Neutral mucins in duodeno-jejunal biopsies of coeliac infants were studied. Subtotal villous atrophy was observed in 22 untreated patients whereas 18 patients, after a gluten-free diet for twelve months, had an histologic pattern of partial villous atrophy. The results showed a different distribution of neutral mucosubstances along the crypts and villi; in mucosae with subtotal villous atrophy, some goblet cells producing only neutral mucins were evident at various levels in deep crypts, when compared to those observed in partial villous atrophy. The possible correlation between epithelial cell differentiation and neutral mucins secretion was discussed.