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Updated: Aug 3, 2026
09:14
Static Adhesion Assay for the Study of Integrin Activation in T Lymphocytes
Published on: June 13, 2014
TSH-receptor and adhesion molecules in autoimmune thyroid disease
F Schuppert1, M Reiser, A von zur Mühlen
1Department of Clinical Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Germany.
Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology
|January 1, 1992
Summary
TSH receptor (TSH-R) expression is low in autoimmune thyroid disease when immune markers like MHC I, MHC II, and ICAM-1 are high. These molecules, along with ICAM-1, likely contribute to initiating autoimmune thyroid conditions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) involve complex immune dysregulation.
- The role of specific immune markers in thyroid tissue requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between TSH receptor (TSH-R) expression and immune markers in human thyroid tissue.
- To identify potential cellular sources of immune-related transcripts in AITDs.
Main Methods:
- Northern blot analysis of TSH-R expression in 20 human thyroid tissue samples (Graves', Hashimoto's, endemic goiter, healthy).
- Assessment of Major Histocompatibility Complex class I (MHC I), MHC class II (MHC II), Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 (ICAM-1), and Endothelial Leukocyte Adhesion Molecule 1 (ELAM-1) expression.
- In situ hybridization to determine the cellular origin of transcripts.
Main Results:
- TSH-R expression was inversely correlated with MHC I, MHC II, and ICAM-1 expression.
- ELAM-1 expression showed no correlation with TSH-R levels.
- Thyroid cells, endothelial cells, and lymphocytes were identified as sources of MHC II, ICAM-1, and ELAM-1 transcripts.
Conclusions:
- High expression of MHC I, MHC II, and ICAM-1 is associated with low TSH-R expression in thyroid tissue.
- ICAM-1 and potentially ELAM-1, in addition to MHC molecules, may play a role in the initiation of autoimmune thyroid disease.
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