title: Evaluation of T cell stimulation by thyrotropin-receptor epitopes in Graves' disease.
abstract: In Graves' disease (GD) immunized T cells reactive to TSH-receptor epitopes contribute to pathogenesis through B cell help, and cytotoxicity. We evaluated T cell responses to synthetic TSH-receptor epitopes in hyperthyroid patients with GD prior to therapy, at 6-8 weeks after radioactive iodine (RAI) administration, or 6-8 months later when euthyroid, and in control subjects. All T cell responses were relatively low as generally found in human autoimmune diseases. Responses in hyperthyroid GD patients were significantly greater than among controls, were augmented 6-8 weeks after RAI treatment, were still present after patients became euthyroid, and did not differ between DR3+ and non-DR3+ patients. Patient's T cells reacted to multiple different epitopes, and reactivity differed depending on the course of the disease and treatment.While certain epitopes most commonly cause T cell reactivity, we did not find evidence for a single or few "dominant" epitopes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, USA. ldegroot@earthlink.net
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: De Groot
authors.forename: Y Ha
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gopalakrishnan
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Hennessey