title: Regulatory T cells but not T helper 17 cells are modulated in an animal model of Graves' hyperthyroidism.
abstract: Graves' disease (GD) involves auto-immunity against thyroid cell antigens, but the reasons for the induction of auto-immunity are uncertain. We wished to investigate the role of T helper 17 (Th17) and regulatory T cells (Treg) in a mouse model of Graves' hyperthyroidism. The model was generated by immunizing mice with adenovirus expressing the autoantigen thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (Ad-TSHR289). The frequencies of splenic Th17 and Treg were determined by flow cytometry. The levels of interleukin-17(IL-17), forkhead box P3 (Foxp3), and orphan retinoic acid nuclear receptor (RORγt) mRNA were determined by real-time PCR. The number of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T lymphocyte was significantly reduced in the Ad-TSHR289 group compared with the Ad-control (P < 0.05). mRNA level for Foxp3 was less abundant in Ad-TSHR289 group compared with Ad-control (P < 0.05). However, CD4(+)IL-17(+) T-cell subpopulation and expression of RORγt mRNA did not differ significantly between Ad-TSHR289 and Ad-control groups (P > 0.05). Nevertheless, in Ad-TSHR289 group, a profound increase in the Th17/Treg ratios was found. The present study demonstrates that Th17 is not involved in promoting Graves' hyperthyroidism, while Treg and the ratio of Th17/Treg might play a role in the pathogenesis of Graves' hyperthyroidism.
authors.affiliation: The Endocrine Institute of China Medical University, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bi
authors.forename: Chenling
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Xizhu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Shujie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yushu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Weiping
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Teng
authors.forename: Zhongyan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D057132:Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011989:Receptors, Thyrotropin / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D015704:CD4 Antigens; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; C498833:Foxp3 protein, mouse; C508018:Il2ra protein, mouse; D020381:Interleukin-17; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D057132:Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011989:Receptors, Thyrotropin; C539901:Rorc protein, mouse