Serial studies on the affinity and heterogeneity of human autoantibodies to thyroglobulin.
The functional affinity and heterogeneity of autoantibodies to thyroglobulin (Tg) were measured by an IgG subclass-specific solid-phase competition ELISA in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease. High-affinity IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies formed the major anti-Tg response. Both titre and affinity of IgG3 and IgG2 anti-Tg were generally low but in some Hashimoto's disease patients high-affinity IgG2 anti-Tg were found and IgG2 anti-Tg, unlike those of other subclasses, showed very restricted heterogeneity. The affinity of IgG4 anti-Tg was similar in patients with thyroid disease and their clinically euthyroid (normal) relatives. In contrast, a progressive increase in IgG1 anti-Tg affinity was seen in clinically euthyroid individuals compared with their relatives with thyroid disease and high titred Hashimoto's disease patients, suggesting that either rising titres of high affinity IgG1 anti-Tg or affinity maturation of IgG1 anti-Tg may be indicative of impending hypothyroidism.
Department of Clinical Sciences, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK.
M E
ME
Devey
K M
KM
Bleasdale-Barr
S M
SM
McLachlan
J
J
Bradbury
F
F
Clark
E T
ET
Young
D000915:Antibody Affinity; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013954:Thyroglobulin / Q000276:immunology*; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000276:immunology
D001323:Autoantibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D013954:Thyroglobulin