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Epitope mapping of human thyroglobulin. Heterogeneous recognition by thyroid pathologic sera.
M Henry1, Y Malthièry, E Zanelli
1Laboratoire de Biochimie Médicale, INSERM Unité 38, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France.
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|December 1, 1990
Summary
Thyroglobulin autoepitopes were mapped, revealing specific regions recognized by autoimmune sera, particularly in Hashimoto's thyroiditis. These findings highlight overlaps between self and non-self epitopes in thyroid autoimmunity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Thyroglobulin is a key autoantigen in thyroid autoimmune diseases.
- Understanding thyroglobulin epitopes is crucial for diagnosing and potentially treating these conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize epitopes on human thyroglobulin.
- To investigate the reactivity of autoimmune sera against these epitopes.
Main Methods:
- Epitope mapping using a rabbit polyclonal immune serum against thyroglobulin fusion proteins.
- Screening of a human thyroglobulin cDNA library and subcloning of immunoreactive clones.
- Testing the immunoreactivity of 18 autoimmune sera against characterized epitopes.
Main Results:
- Seven distinct epitopes were identified and localized on the human thyroglobulin molecule.
- Autoimmune sera, especially from Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients, showed significant reactivity.
- Central and near-C-terminal epitopes were most frequently recognized.
- Immune responses varied heterogeneously across different pathologies and individuals.
Conclusions:
- Specific autoepitopes on thyroglobulin have been characterized and localized.
- Autoepitope recognition is heterogeneous but shows common patterns, particularly in Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
- Identified autoepitopes overlap with heteroepitopes, suggesting implications for immune response mechanisms.