The pattern of a T(H)1 cytokine in autoimmune thyroiditis.
This study performed on 51 patients with autoimmune thyroiditis and 15 healthy subjects was aimed at correlating the activation of T cells and the secretion of inflammatory cytokine with echography and thyroid functional assays. A significant increase of activated T cells was observed in Hashimoto patients illustrated by an increased percentage of CD3+ CD25+ T cells (P < 0.01). Similarly, increased amounts of IL-2, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma were in the serum of patients compared with the control group in which these cytokines are barely detectable. An in vitro study shows a significant increase of IL-2 and TNF-alpha upon the exposure to Concanavalin A. These results suggest that T(H)1 secreting inflammatory cytokines may contribute to pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroiditis.
Drugarin
D
D
Department of Immunology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Romania. negru@netscape.net
Negru
S
S
Koreck
A
A
Zosin
I
I
Cristea
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008875:Middle Aged; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000276:immunology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis
D016207:Cytokines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D003208:Concanavalin A; D007371:Interferon-gamma