[Production of antithyroid hormone antibodies. 2. Genetic control of the production of anti-human thyroglobulin and antithyroid hormone antibodies in mice immunized with human thyroglobulin].
Recently anti-thyroid hormone antibodies have been found in many cases of thyroidal and non-thyroidal disorders. However, the exact mechanism(s) of production of anti-thyroid hormone antibodies in these patients is so far obscure. Thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) are haptens and are not immunogenic in free form. In this respect, human thyroglobulin (HTg) has long been suggested as an antigen of the anti-thyroid hormone antibodies observed in them because it carries thyroid hormones on its surface. In our previous communication, we reported the production of anti-HTg antibodies and anti-thyroid hormone antibodies in two rabbits and various strains of mice immunized with HTg. In order to elucidate the gene(s) which controls the production of anti-HTg and anti-thyroid hormone antibodies, various strains of mice which have different H-2 and Igh allotypes were immunized with HTg. The titers of anti-HTg and anti-thyroid hormone antibodies were measured, and the locus (loci) which controls the immune response against them was determined. Our present investigation has revealed that the Ir-gene(s) which controls the production of anti-HTg and anti-T4 antibodies is located in the I-A subregion. Concerning the production of anti-T4 antibodies in mice, the presence of Ir-gene(s) outside of H-2 is also suggested. The significance of the genetic mechanisms controlling the immune response against thyroid hormones in various thyroidal disorders is discussed.
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000235:genetics*; D000917:Antibody Formation; D005799:Genes, Dominant; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D013954:Thyroglobulin / Q000276:immunology*; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000276:immunology*; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000276:immunology; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000276:immunology
D000906:Antibodies; D006183:H-2 Antigens; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D013954:Thyroglobulin; D013974:Thyroxine