Abnormal expression of dipeptidylpeptidase IV activity in enterocyte brush-border membranes of children suffering from coeliac disease.

Dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPP IV) activity has been shown cytochemically to decrease significantly in enterocytes of children suffering from coeliac disease. This decrease is due to a halving of the time available for enterocytes to express DPP IV in their brush-border membranes during development. This effect is compared with previous results showing coeliac disease to inhibit disaccharidase activities selectively.