[Role of immune complexes in thyroid diseases]

To elucidate the immune complex (thyroglobulin-antibody, Tg-Ab) role in thyroid hormone formation, in vitro iodination of Tg--AB immune complex, bovine intact Tg and that of the patient with euthyroid goiter and partially purified AB to Tg were studied. We compared the amount of iodamine acids (MIT, DIT, T4/mole of Tg) forming during iodination in immune complex with other samples. The results suggest that Tg being in complex with antibodies (up to 30-40 mole of antibodies/mole of Tg) is iodinated forming the enough amount of MIT, decreased amount of DIT and T4. A MIT fraction increase is connected with additional iodination of complex antibodies. We suggest that such processes may take place in the patient body and be involved in pathogenesis of thyroid disease.