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Type-1 response in peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Gherardo Mazziotti1, Francesca Sorvillo, Caterina Naclerio

  • 1F. Magrassi & A. Lanzara Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Second University of Naples, via Crispi 44, 80121 Naples, Italy.

European Journal of Endocrinology
|March 27, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) patients exhibit increased type-1 immune responses in CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, particularly when hypothyroidism is present. This immune activation is linked to thyroid function, suggesting lymphocytes may indicate thyroid immune involvement.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Endocrinology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is an autoimmune disease affecting the thyroid gland.
  • The role of peripheral T lymphocytes in HT pathogenesis requires further elucidation.
  • Understanding T-cell responses, specifically cytokine production, is crucial for comprehending HT.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze intracellular cytokine expression in peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in HT patients.
  • To investigate the type-1 immune response in these lymphocyte subpopulations.
  • To correlate cytokine expression with thyroid function status (euthyroid vs. hypothyroid).

Main Methods:

  • Single-cell analysis of intracellular cytokine expression (interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma] and IL-4).
  • Assay performed on peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes from 29 HT patients and 20 healthy controls.
  • Lymphocytes were stimulated with phorbolmyristate acetate (PMA).

Main Results:

  • HT patients showed higher CD4+ IFN-gamma+, CD4+ IL-4+, and CD8+ IFN-gamma+ cells compared to controls.
  • Euthyroid HT patients had increased CD4+ IL-4+ expression.
  • Hypothyroid HT patients exhibited elevated IFN-gamma expression in both CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes, with lower CD4+ IL-4+ expression compared to euthyroid patients.

Conclusions:

  • Peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in HT patients demonstrate a type-1 activation.
  • This type-1 activation is strongly correlated with the presence of hypothyroidism.
  • Peripheral lymphocytes may serve as a marker for thyroid immune involvement in HT.
Abstract

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