Induction of autoimmunity by immunization of mice with human thyrotropin receptor.
The development of autoimmunity was investigated after repeated immunizations with human thyrotropin receptor (hTSH-R) of five congenic strains of female and male mice. After each immunization, free T3 levels and antibodies to hTSH-R and to six peptides of the hTSH-R were assayed. Our results showed that H-2s and H-2q female mice developed features of autoimmunity such as antibody responses to hTSH-R and to hTSH-R peptides, transient variations in the levels of free T3 thyroid hormone, and lymphocytic infiltrations in their thyroid glands. Concerning the antibody responses to hTSH-R peptides, we found that peptide P1 (352-366) contained a major B cell epitope. Furthermore, strain-specific B cell epitope was exemplified by peptide 92 (12-30) and two male- and female-specific B cell epitopes were located in peptides 91 (32-46) and 93 (316-330), respectively. These features appeared rather related to hyperthyroidism.
Marion
S
S
INSERM U. 283, Hôpital Cohin, Paris, France.
Braun
J M
JM
Ropars
A
A
Kohn
L D
LD
Charreire
J
J
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001667:Binding, Competitive / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000276:immunology; D011989:Receptors, Thyrotropin / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013954:Thyroglobulin / Q000276:immunology; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000473:pathology; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood
D001323:Autoantibodies; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011989:Receptors, Thyrotropin; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D013954:Thyroglobulin