Analysis of Expression of Different Histone Deacetylases in Autoimmune Thyroid Disease

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) and histone acetyltransferases (HAT) have an important role in the regulation of gene transcription as well as in the development and function of CD4+Foxp3+ T regulatory (Treg) cells. Our group and others have reported that patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) show abnormalities in the levels and function of different Treg cell subsets.

We aimed to analyze the levels of expression of several HDACs and the Tip60 HAT in the thyroid gland and immune cells from patients with AITD.

The expression of HDAC1-11 and the Tip60 HAT, at RNA and protein levels, were determined in thyroid tissue from 20 patients with AITD and 10 healthy controls and these findings were correlated with clinical data. HDAC9 and Tip60 levels were also analyzed in thyroid cell cultures, stimulated or not with proinflammatory cytokines, as well as in different cell subsets from peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Altered expression of different HDACs was observed in thyroid tissue from AITD patients, including a significant increase in HDAC9, at RNA and protein levels. Likewise, HDAC9 expression was increased in peripheral blood mononuclear cells particularly in Treg cells in patients with AITD. In contrast, Tip60 expression was reduced in thyroid gland samples from patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis.

Our results indicate that HDAC expression is dysregulated in thyroid gland and immune cells from patients with AITD, suggesting involvement in the pathogenesis of this condition.