A bacterial enzyme used in food processing can stick pieces of wheat protein together in a way that tricks the immune system of people with celiac disease into attacking their own intestines—and the more damage they have, the more of these weird antibodies their body makes.

Assessment Explanation

The claim describes a mechanistic pathway (mTG cross-linking gliadin → neo-epitopes → IgG response → correlation with damage) supported by multiple observational and immunological studies in celiac disease. The use of 'correlating' is scientifically accurate because the evidence shows association, not direct causation of damage by mTG antibodies. The claim does not overstate causality (e.g., 'mTG causes damage'), which is critical since mTG is a food additive and not the primary trigger—gluten is. The correlation between anti-mTG-neo IgG and damage severity has been demonstrated in peer-reviewed clinical studies, making this a well-grounded mechanistic association.