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Modulation of class-II antigen expression in human thyroid epithelial cell cultures
Acta Endocrinologica. Supplementum
|January 1, 1987
Summary
Thyroid epithelial cells (TECs) from Graves' disease patients express HLA-D when cultured without serum and stimulated by TSH or TSH-receptor antibodies. These factors do not affect HLA-DQ expression.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) class II molecules are crucial for immune responses.
- Thyroid epithelial cells (TECs) play a role in autoimmune thyroid diseases like Graves' disease (GD).
- Understanding HLA expression on TECs can provide insights into GD pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro modulation of HLA-D expression on TECs.
- To determine the effects of TSH, TSH-receptor antibodies, and other factors on HLA expression in GD-TECs.
Main Methods:
- Immunofluorescence was used to study HLA-D expression on TECs.
- Cells were cultured under serum-free conditions.
- Stimulation with TSH, TSH-receptor antibodies, and assessment for IFN-gamma contamination were performed.
Main Results:
- TSH and TSH-receptor antibodies induced HLA-D expression on TECs from GD patients under serum-free conditions.
- Serum-free conditions enhanced TSH-receptor availability.
- No IFN-gamma producing cell contamination was detected.
- TSH did not induce HLA-DQ on TECs, unlike IFN-gamma.
- Methimazole and perchlorate did not suppress HLA-D expression.
Conclusions:
- TSH and TSH-receptor antibodies can modulate HLA-D expression on GD-TECs.
- HLA-DQ is not induced by TSH and is not spontaneously expressed on GD-TECs.
- Standard GD treatments do not inhibit HLA-D expression induced by TSH.