Etiopathogenesis of Graves' disease.
Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder, caused by thyroid-stimulating antibodies, which bind to and activate the thyrotropin receptor on thyroid cells, inducing the synthesis and release of thyroid hormones. It is a polygenic and multifactorial disease that develops as a result of complex interaction between genetic susceptibility and environmental and/or endogenous factors. Graves' disease differs from other autoimmune diseases of the thyroid by specific clinical features, including hyperthyroidism, vascular goitre, ophthalmopathy and--less commonly--infiltrative dermopathy. This article discusses current theories, regarding the etiology and pathogenesis of Graves' disease, including possible predisposing factors, autoimmune aspects of Graves' disease, ophthalmopathy, and dermopathy.
Karasek
Michal
M
Department of Endocrinology and Isotope Therapy, Medical University of Lodz--Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital--Research Institute, Lodz, Poland. karasek@csk.am.lodz.pl
Lewinski
Andrzej
A
D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000502:physiology; D005123:Eye / Q000473:pathology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology