Thyroid specific T helper cell analysis by ELISPOT assay with thyrotropin receptor (TSH-R) peptides.
We previously reported that a synthetic peptide induced humoral autoimmunity to thyrotropin receptor (TSH-R) and the expansion of antigen-specific type 2 helper T (Th2) cell population in mice. The peptide corresponds to the human TSH-R C-terminal region. In the present study, we undertook a similar approach in patients with Graves' disease (GD). Peripheral lymphocytes from 5 healthy controls and 11 GD patients were prepared and analyzed for cytokines from helper T cells by an antigen specific enzyme-linked immuno spot (ELISPOT) assay. In GD patients, the total number of IL-4 producing cells increased significantly and the number of interferon-gamma(IFN-gamma) producing cells decreased. Further, co-incubation with several of the 20 kinds of TSH-R extracellular peptides increased the number of IL-4 producing cells in patients with GD. Such stimulatory peptides appear frequently in a TSH-R sequence. These peptides did not affect the numbers of IFN-gamma producing cells significantly. These results indicated that GD patients have an expanded Th2 population responding to TSH-R and the dominance of the humoral immune system in such patients.
Ueda
Michiko
M
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kyoto University School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan. michiko@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Ichiyama
Satoshi
S
Sugawa
Hideo
H
D000941:Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D011485:Protein Binding; D011989:Receptors, Thyrotropin / Q000737:chemistry*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*
D000941:Antigens; D010455:Peptides; D011989:Receptors, Thyrotropin; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma