This peptide is derived from gliadin wheat protein residues 31-43. It elicits an innate immune response by upregulating expression of interleukin (IL)-15 and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. This peptide also promotes expression of CD25 on monocytes and macrophages, expression of CD83 on dendritic cells, and p38 MAP kinase activation. Treatment with this peptide allows immunodominant epitopes (57-68 and 62-75) to induce T-cell activation and enterocyte apoptosis.