When natural killer cells are removed in mice infected with a specific reovirus strain, the immune system stops attacking food proteins and instead learns to tolerate them, showing these cells are necessary for breaking tolerance.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
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NK cells contribute to reovirus-induced IFN responses and loss of tolerance to dietary antigen
When mice got a specific virus, their immune system’s NK cells made them react strongly to food — like an allergic response. But when scientists removed those NK cells, the mice stopped reacting to food, showing the NK cells were the ones causing the problem.
Contradicting (0)
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Score Breakdown
No multi-axis breakdown available yet. The overall Pro / Against score above is the best signal.
- No clinical evidence is available; the score reflects mechanistic plausibility only.
What Would Prove This
Per GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this claim, ordered from strongest to weakest.
Whether NK cell activity or depletion correlates with restoration of immune tolerance in human celiac disease or related autoimmune conditions.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of all published studies measuring NK cell frequency, activation, and IFN-γ production in celiac patients before and after gluten-free diet, or in remission versus active disease.
Whether transient NK cell inhibition during gluten introduction prevents celiac autoimmunity in genetically susceptible children.
A double-blind RCT in 200 HLA-DQ2/DQ8-positive infants, randomized to receive NK cell-depleting antibody or placebo during first gluten exposure, with primary outcome of celiac autoantibody development at 24 months.
Whether higher NK cell activation during gluten introduction predicts failure to develop oral tolerance in genetically predisposed children.
A prospective cohort of 700 HLA-DQ2/DQ8-positive infants, with monthly blood sampling for NK cell activation markers (CD69, IFN-γ) from birth through gluten introduction, tracking development of tolerance (via Treg/Th1 ratio) and autoantibodies over 5 years.
Whether children with celiac disease have higher NK cell activation at time of diagnosis compared to asymptomatic HLA-matched peers.
A matched case-control study comparing peripheral and mucosal NK cell activation (CD69, IFN-γ, CD107a) in 150 children with newly diagnosed celiac disease and 300 HLA-matched controls without autoimmunity.
Whether NK cell activation correlates with loss of oral tolerance markers in individuals with celiac disease.
A cross-sectional analysis of 250 adults with celiac disease and 250 controls, measuring peripheral NK cell activation markers and serum IFN-γ alongside Treg/Th1 ratios in blood.