title: The pattern of a T(H)1 cytokine in autoimmune thyroiditis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Romania. negru@netscape.net
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Drugarin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Negru
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koreck
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zosin
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cristea
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D003208:Concanavalin A; D007371:Interferon-gamma