Expression of an intercellular adhesion molecule, ICAM-1, by human thyroid cells.
Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), hitherto identified on activated B cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, endothelia and certain epithelial cells, serves as a ligand for the lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1). ICAM-1 binding by LFA-1 enhances the efficiency of lymphocyte-target cell and lymphocyte-accessory cell interactions. We have investigated the in-vitro expression of ICAM-1 by cultured thyroid cells from five patients with Graves' disease using indirect immunofluorescence analysis, and found that 30 +/- 11% (mean +/- S.D.) of cells were ICAM-1 positive under basal conditions. The proportion of cells which were ICAM-1 positive and the amount of ICAM-1 per cell (assessed by fluorescence intensity) were both increased in all cases by the cytokines gamma-interferon, interleukin-1 and tumour necrosis factor. Immunohistochemical analysis of frozen sections from thyroidectomy specimens demonstrated ICAM-1 on thyroid follicular cells in areas of lymphocytic infiltration in patients with Graves' disease (n = 2) or Hashimoto's thyroiditis (n = 2). ICAM-1 was not found in specimens from a patient with a toxic multinodular goitre or a patient with Graves' disease without focal lymphocytic accumulation. These results suggest that the thyroid epithelium may express ICAM-1 as well as major histocompatibility complex class II antigens, such as HLA-DR, in response to locally synthesized cytokines. The enhanced expression of ICAM-1 may render these cells more susceptible as targets for lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity, and together with HLA-DR antigen expression may increase the accessory cell capability of the thyroid follicular cells.
Weetman
A P
AP
Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge Clinical School, Addenbrooke's Hospital.
Cohen
S
S
Makgoba
M W
MW
Borysiewicz
L K
LK
D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis*; D001685:Biological Factors; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000276:immunology*; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000276:immunology
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D001685:Biological Factors; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016207:Cytokines; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins