[The role of antibodies in Graves' ophthalmopathy]

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible pathogenetic role of autoantibodies to eye muscle membrane fractions in 75 patients with Graves' disease (50 patients with infiltrative ophthalmopathy). Autoantibodies directed to four fractions of human eye muscle--as well as thyroid membranes prepared by ultracentrifugation were detected by ELISA and Western blotting techniques. None of autoantibodies to various fractions of eye muscle membrane proved to be specific for Graves' ophthalmopathy, however, the presence of these antibodies and activity of eye symptoms were in correlation. Polyclonal autoantibodies to common epitopes on both thyroid and eye muscle membrane antigens (approximately 60 kD) were revealed that might be involved into pathogenesis of Graves' ophthalmopathy.