Non-polarized cell surface expression of HLA-A,B,C and HLA-DR antigens in Graves' thyroid follicle cells.
The intrathyroidal distribution and cell surface location of HLA-A,B,C and HLA-DR antigens was studied in polarized thyroid follicle cells from Graves' (n = 11) and normal (n = 3) thyroid tissue, using light and electron microscopy. Cryosections and isolated, open follicle segments were incubated with monoclonal antibodies against HLA-A,B,C and HLA-DR antigens and with patient sera containing autoantibodies against the microsomal antigen/thyroperoxidase. Immunoreactivity for HLA-A,B,C and HLA-DR on isolated thyroid follicle cells was frequently detected in Graves' disease, but absent in normal glands. There was a large variation in the immunolabelling between follicles as well as between different glands. Both HLA-A,B,C and HLA-DR immunoreactivity were detected on the apical and the basal surface of the follicle cells. Microsomal antigen/thyroperoxidase immunoreactivity was restricted to the apical cell surface. In contrast to normal tissue, HLA-DR positive cells with a dendritic or macrophage-like morphology were frequent in Graves' tissue. These cells adhered directly to the basal surface of isolated follicle segments. We conclude that HLA antigens are, unlike thyroid-specific plasma membrane constituents, expressed in a non-polarized manner at the surface of the follicular epithelium. These observations might have implications on the immune recognition of thyroidal autoantigens in Graves' disease.
Mölne
J
J
Department of Anatomy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Nilsson
M
M
Jansson
S
S
Hansson
G
G
Ericson
L E
LE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000276:immunology*; D015234:HLA-A Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D015235:HLA-B Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D015236:HLA-C Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000276:immunology*
D015234:HLA-A Antigens; D015235:HLA-B Antigens; D015236:HLA-C Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens