T lymphocyte activation in Graves' disease.
We examined the proliferative response of T lymphocytes from thirty-eight patients with Graves' disease (17 untreated thyrotoxic and 30 euthyroid on antithyroid medication) to phytohemagglutinin, anti-CD3 MoAb and phorbol esters, as well as the capacities of these lymphocytes to produce interleukin 2 and the density of interleukin 2 receptors and major histocompatibility class II antigens. We found that the response of T lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin, anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody and phorbol esters from untreated thyrotoxic Graves' disease was significantly enhanced as compared to treated patients and normal controls. Interleukin 2 production by mitogen-triggered T lymphocytes in both treated and untreated patients with Graves' disease was comparable to that of the control population. Interleukin 2 receptor density was found to be normal, whereas that of human leukocyte antigen-DR was increased in both untreated and treated patients. Following lymphocyte stimulation, there was an increase in human leukocyte antigen-DR and interleukin 2 receptor expression in patients with untreated Graves' disease. Significant correlations were found between thyroid hormone concentration and the proliferative responses to the polyclonal mitogen phytohemagglutinin, anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody and phorbol esters in untreated Graves' patients. Furthermore, during the follow-up of 9 patients, attainment of normal thyroid function after antithyroid treatment was associated with a decrease in and normalization of T-proliferative responses. Our data reveal that active Graves' disease is associated with T cell activation and this is probably related to immunological dysregulation as well as to hyperthyroxinemia.
Marazuela
M
M
Service of Endocrinology, Hospital de la Princesa, Madrid, Spain.
Vargas
J A
JA
Durántez
A
A
Alvarez-Mon
M
M
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000276:immunology; D002455:Cell Division; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D010641:Phenotype; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D017252:CD3 Complex; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D007376:Interleukin-2; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2