title: [Introduction to the etiology and pathogenesis of autoimmune forms of thyroid diseases].
abstract: Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis are representing typical endocrine disorders caused by dysfunction of the immune system. In this context the occurrence of thyroid cell-specific autoantibodies is regarded as a characteristic indicator of autoimmunity. HLA-linked, disturbed lymphocytic interactions are discussed as the etiologic factors of these diseases because of their inability to discrime between "self" and "not-self". Hypothetically the underlying mechanism is an error in the immunosuppressive reaction, either by a quantitative or functional diminution of so-called suppressor cells or by a lacking of antigen-specific antiidiotypic antibodies.
mesh_terms: D000917:Antibody Formation; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000276:immunology; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes / Q000032:analysis; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D006680:HLA Antigens; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes
vernacular_title: Vorstellungen zur Atiologie und Pathogenese von autoimmunen Formen von Schilddrüsenerkrankungen.