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Abnormal B lymphocyte function in thyroid glands from patients with Graves' disease
1First Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, Japan.
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|November 1, 1989
Summary
Activated B lymphocytes in Graves' disease thyroid glands show increased autoantibody production and altered cell characteristics. These findings suggest a key role for these immune cells in the pathogenesis of this autoimmune thyroid condition.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Pathology
Background:
- Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the overproduction of thyroid hormones.
- The role of B lymphocytes within the thyroid gland in Graves' disease pathogenesis requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phenotype, cell cycle status, proliferative capacity, and autoantibody production of B lymphocytes infiltrating the thyroid gland in Graves' disease patients.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and characterization of two distinct intrathyroidal mononuclear cell populations (TG-1 and TG-2) from Graves' disease thyroid tissues.
- Flow cytometry analysis to assess B lymphocyte surface markers, cell size, and plasma cell differentiation.
- Assessment of B lymphocyte proliferation in response to Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1 (SAC) and measurement of spontaneous immunoglobulin G (IgG) and antithyroidal autoantibody production.
Main Results:
- Thyroid-infiltrating B lymphocytes (TG-1 and TG-2) exhibited significantly higher percentages of activated markers and plasma cells compared to peripheral blood B lymphocytes from Graves' disease patients and normal subjects.
- These activated B lymphocytes showed increased cell size.
- Despite increased activation markers, thyroid-infiltrating B lymphocytes demonstrated a markedly lower proliferative response to SAC.
- B lymphocytes isolated from the thyroid gland produced significantly higher levels of IgG and antithyroidal autoantibodies.
Conclusions:
- Thyroid-infiltrating B lymphocytes in Graves' disease display distinct phenotypic and functional abnormalities.
- Activated B lymphocytes within the thyroid gland are implicated in the excessive production of antithyroidal autoantibodies, contributing to the autoimmune process in Graves' disease.