[Progress in the pathogenesis of Graves' disease: approaches from animal models]

Graves' disease is a well-known organ-specific autoimmune disease, in which stimulatory anti-thyrotropin (TSH) receptor antibodies cause hyperthyroidism and diffuse goiter. Several animal models of this disease have been established for the last decade using the living cells expressing TSH receptor or genetic immunization with the plasmid or adenovirus. Significant progresses on our understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease have been obtained from these models, which include (1) the pathological role of the TSH receptor cleavage, (2) antigen-presenting cells involving anti-TSH receptor immune response, (3) immune tolerance to TSH receptor, and (4) genetic and environmental factors involving the pathogenesis of this disease. Recent data on these topics are summarized in this review.