Evaluation of the biological significance of leukocyte infiltration of the thyroid in Graves' disease.
Graves' goiter size and gland function may be affected by interferon-gamma influencing actions of the thyroid-stimulating antibody. Goiter weight (n = 20), lymphocytic infiltration and class II antigen expression were assessed. The largest goiters, strikingly, has least infiltration but, overall, the looked-for negative correlation between goiter size and lymphocyte infiltration did not materialize. This was presumably due, in part, to inhibiting antibodies in many (8/18) patients' sera. In addition, our data do not support a major pathogenetic role for class II antigen in Graves' disease.
Levis
S
S
Department of Medicine, University of Miami School of Medicine, FL 33101.
Ghandur-Mnaymneh
L
L
McKenzie
J M
JM
Zakarija
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D015551:Autoimmunity; D005260:Female; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000276:immunology*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000276:immunology*; D013965:Thyroidectomy
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1