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Updated: Sep 20, 2026

Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model
Published on: March 17, 2023
CTLA-4 and its role in autoimmune thyroid disease
D A Chistiakov1, R I Turakulov
1Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. dimitry.chistyakov@bio.kuleuven.ac.be
Abstract:
Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) occurs in two common forms: Graves' disease and Hashimoto thyroiditis. On the basis of functional and experimental data, it has been suggested that the gene encoding cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) is a candidate gene for conferring susceptibility to thyroid autoimmunity. In this review, we critically evaluate the evidence for pathogenetic involvement of CTLA-4 in the various forms of AITD and focus on the possible role of genetic variation of the CTLA4 locus. Population genetics data strongly suggest a role for the CTLA4 region in susceptibility to AITD. However, further functional studies are required to understand the significance of CTLA4 polymorphisms in the pathogenic mechanism of AITD.
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