Role of natural killer T cells in Graves' disease.
- Author:
Wentian LUO
1
;
Hui GUO
;
Fumie AOSAI
;
Akihiko YANO
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Animals; CHO Cells; Cricetinae; Female; Graves Disease; etiology; immunology; Immunization; Killer Cells, Natural; physiology; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Receptors, Thyrotropin; immunology; Thyroid Gland; pathology
- From: Chinese Medical Journal 2002;115(8):1183-1185
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo explore the role of natural killer T (NK T) cells in the pathogenesis of Graves' disease.
METHODSNK T cell deficient mice and wild BALB/c mice were immunized with cells expressing TSH receptor once every two weeks 6 times. Two weeks after the final immunization, the mice were killed and serum thyroxine levels, anti-TSH receptor antibodies and thyroid pathological changes were examined.
RESULTSThe mean levels of TT(4) and TRAb in the immunized NK T cell deficient group were slightly elevated but significantly different from those of the non-immunized control group, while comparable to those in the immunized wild group. There were no significant changes of the activity levels of TSAb or TSBAb in the immunized NK T cell deficient mice compared to those in immunized wild control mice. Thyroids from immunized NK T cell deficient mice showed mild hypertrophy of some follicles as compared with non-immunized control mice. This change was comparable to immunized wild control mice.
CONCLUSIONNK T cells may not be involved in the pathogenesis of Graves' disease.