[Ultrastructure analysis and cytokines expression of orbital fibroblasts in the patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy].
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the ultrastructure and cytokines expression from cultured orbital fibroblasts (OFs) in the patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO).


METHODS
Primary cultured OFs were obtained from 5 patients with TAO and 4 normal control subjects, some of subcultured OFs were treated by patients' serum with active TAO. Ultrastructures of OFs were observed by transmission election microscope. The cytokines in cultured supernatant were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA).


RESULTS
There were no significant differences of ultrastructure of OFs from TAO patients and normal subjects. Nucleoli enlargement, microvillus prolongation and increase of endoplasmic reticular of OFs were detected after maintaining in culture. The IL-1, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma were found in supernatant of OFs treated by patients' serum. IL-1 was found in supernatant of OFs in TAO patient and control subjects, and the IL-1 level of former was higher than the controls.


CONCLUSIONS
There are no significant differences in ultrastructure of OFs from patients with TAO and normal subjects. The OFs treated with the serum of TAO patients showed proliferation and increasing cytokines secretion.
Luo
Qing-li
QL
Department of Ophthalmology, Huaxi Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China. luo-qingli@263.net
Zhang
Xue-jin
XJ
Zeng
Ji-hong
JH
D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009915:Orbit / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis
D016207:Cytokines; D007375:Interleukin-1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma