The expression of the beta 1 integrin CD29 and the beta 2 integrin CD11b is decreased in peripheral blood lymphocytes from Graves' disease patients.
We have prospectively examined the percentage of peripheral blood lymphocytes which expressed adhesion molecules in untreated Graves' disease patients. Eighteen patients with Graves' disease, twenty-four patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and thirty-two sex- and age-matched healthy control subjects were studied. The expression of the lymphocyte adhesion molecules beta-1 integrin CD29, beta-2 integrin CD11b and L-selectin Leu8 (CD62L) was analyzed by cytofluorometry. A decreased percentage of CD29+ and CD11b+ lymphocytes was observed in hyperthyroid patients in comparison with Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients and healthy controls. However, there was no difference in the percentage of CD62L+ lymphocytes in the three groups. Percentages of lymphocyte activation markers, hyperthyroid status, presence or absence of ophthalmopathy or serum levels of antithyroid antibodies were not related to the proportions of CD29+ or CD11b+ lymphocytes. Four Graves' patients required radical therapy but after the treatment, there was no modification in the percentages of CD29+ and CD11b+ lymphocytes compared with those determined at diagnosis. Our findings suggest that the decrease in beta-1 and beta-2 integrins could be a predisposing marker of development of Graves' disease.
Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Facultad de Medicina, Cádiz, Spain.
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JA
Girón
J
J
Rojano
S
S
Sasián
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I
Gavilán
M
M
Aguilar
L
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Escobar
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D013956:Antithyroid Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers; D018821:CD18 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D019012:Integrin beta1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D016177:Macrophage-1 Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008713:Methimazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D013956:Antithyroid Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D018821:CD18 Antigens; D019012:Integrin beta1; D016177:Macrophage-1 Antigen; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D008713:Methimazole