Related Experiment Videos
Altered immunoendocrine dialogue in autoimmune disease
1Institute for General and Experimental Pathology, University of Innsbruck Medical School, Austria.
Israel Journal of Medical Sciences
|February 1, 1993
Summary
Autoimmune diseases require both immune system genes and target organ susceptibility genes. Modulatory factors like steroids influence disease development, as seen in Obese Strain chickens modeling Hashimoto thyroiditis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Genetics
Background:
- Autoimmune diseases arise from complex genetic and environmental interactions.
- Essential genetic factors include those affecting immune reactivity and target organ susceptibility.
- Nonessential modulatory factors influence disease progression and severity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immunomodulatory roles of glucocorticoids and sex steroids.
- To examine these roles within the context of the Obese Strain (OS) chicken model.
- To understand the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, specifically Hashimoto thyroiditis.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing the Obese Strain (OS) chicken model.
- Analyzing the genetic basis of autoimmune disease susceptibility.
- Evaluating the impact of steroid hormones on immune responses and target organs.
Main Results:
- Experimental evidence supports the existence of genes conferring target organ susceptibility.
- Autoimmune disease development necessitates the presence of both immune and target organ susceptibility genes.
- Steroid hormones act as key modulatory factors influencing disease outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Autoimmune disease pathogenesis is multifactorial, requiring specific genetic predispositions.
- Glucocorticoids and sex steroids play significant immunomodulatory roles.
- The Obese Strain chicken model provides valuable insights into Hashimoto thyroiditis and autoimmune disease mechanisms.