Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Digestion of Whole Mouse Eyes for Multi-Parameter Flow Cytometric Analysis of Mononuclear Phagocytes
Published on: June 17, 2020
Circulating mononuclear cells from euthyroid patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy exhibit characteristic
R S Douglas1, A G Gianoukakis, R A Goldberg
1Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA.
Abstract:
Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) is a common yet poorly understood component of Graves' disease involving inflammation, congestion and soft tissue remodelling of the orbit. Unlike most autoimmune disorders, TAO has variable severity but follows a predictable course and is usually self-limited. The objective of this study was to investigate the phenotypic profile of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in euthyroid patients with TAO. The study was a prospective, consecutive analysis of the peripheral blood mononuclear cell phenotype in patients with TAO and normal controls. We demonstrate that the fraction of T cells expressing CD69, CD25 or CXCR4 is significantly greater in patients with TAO compared to control donors. In addition, the fraction of CD19(+) CD25(+) B cells is significantly greater. We did not find differences between the two groups of subjects in monocytes expressing these markers. There is a phenotypic shift in peripheral blood lymphocytes associated with TAO that appears durable and persists beyond the hyperthyroid phase of Graves' disease. These changes may support the immune reaction provoking orbital disease development.
Related Concept Videos
Graves' Disease I: Introduction
Graves Disease II: Pathophysiology
Hyperthyroidism I: Introduction
Hyperthyroidism II: Pathophysiology
Hypothyroidism II: Pathophysiology
Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones
Upon reaching the thyroid gland, TSH stimulates the follicular cells' active uptake of iodide ions from the blood. The ions diffuse to the apical surface of the cells and are oxidized to iodine. The iodine is then...

