Adjusted association between type 2 immunity and low risk thyroid nodules: a retrospective cohort study

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Immunology
• Thyroid Research

Background:

• Thyroid nodules are common, and their association with immune responses, particularly type 2 immunity, is suspected but not fully understood.
• Metabolic factors can influence immune status, potentially confounding the relationship between immunity and thyroid nodules.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between ultrasound-diagnosed low-risk thyroid nodules and immune responses.
• To exclude the interference of metabolic effects on immunity using propensity score matching.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective enrollment of 1764 subjects undergoing thyroid ultrasound.
• Propensity score matching (PSM) to control for confounders related to metabolic syndrome (MetS).
• Evaluation of immune response effectors and logistic regression analysis to identify independent predictors.

Main Results:

• After PSM (1172 subjects), metabolic parameters showed no significant differences between groups.
• Increased white blood cell count and eosinophil percentage were observed in subjects with thyroid nodules.
• Higher positive rates of antithyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) and antithyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) were found in subjects with thyroid nodules.

Conclusions:

• Type 2 immune responses, characterized by increased eosinophils and positive TgAb/TPOAb, are associated with thyroid nodules.
• Basophils may have a protective role against thyroid nodules.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the role of basophils and the immune-metabolic interplay in thyroid nodule pathogenesis.