Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1210/jc.85.12.4758
Title (Primary) Expression and regulation of regulated on activation, normal T cells expressed and secreted in thyroid tissue of patients with Graves' disease and thyroid autonomy and in thyroid-derived cell populations
Author Simchen, C.; Lehmann, I.; Sittig, D.; Steinert, M.; Aust, G.
Source Titel Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Year 2000
Department IMMU
Volume 85
Issue 12
Page From 4758
Page To 4764
Language englisch
Abstract Thyroid glands affected by Graves' disease (GD) show striking lymphocytic infiltration, mainly by CD45RO+ T cells. The mechanisms by which the various lymphocytic subsets are recruited and maintained in the thyroid are unknown. RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cells expressed and secreted) in interaction with its receptors (CCR1, CCR3, CCR4 and CCR5) may be one of the favorite chemokines involved in the cell trafficking and maintenance. RANTES messenger RNA (mRNA) was quantified in the thyroid tissue of 16 patients with GD and 7 patients with thyroid autonomy (TA), using competitive RT-PCR. We found a clear correlation between the RANTES mRNA level and 1) the degree of T-cell infiltration (r = 0.68), and 2) the level of serum antibodies to thyroid peroxidase (r = 0.76) in GD but not in TA patients. There was no difference between the autonomous nodules and the quiescent surrounding tissue in TA patients. To define the cellular source of RANTES mRNA and protein, we examined various thyroid-derived cells. Lymphocytes showed a markedly higher basal RANTES mRNA and protein level (mean ± SEM; pg/mL, n = 3; 140 ± 30) than thyrocytes (12 ± 5) and fibroblasts (9 ± 2). Lymphocyte stimulation with PMA enhanced RANTES secretion significantly (4490 ± 200). Fibroblasts responded to stimulation with interleukin 1 (530 ± 220) and tumor necrosis factor (2780 ± 1790), whereas thyrocytes did not. However, some thyroid carcinoma cell lines showed very high basal and stimulated RANTES expression. Lymphocytes expressed the mRNA of all chemokine receptors that bind RANTES. The number of CCR3+ and CCR5+ T cells was significantly higher in thyroid-derived leukocytes than in those in the peripheral blood stream. We conclude that RANTES expression, mainly by lymphocytes, is perhaps involved in the maintenance of lymphocytic infiltration and, therefore, in the autoimmune responses in GD.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=7664
Simchen, C., Lehmann, I., Sittig, D., Steinert, M., Aust, G. (2000):
Expression and regulation of regulated on activation, normal T cells expressed and secreted in thyroid tissue of patients with Graves' disease and thyroid autonomy and in thyroid-derived cell populations
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 85 (12), 4758 - 4764 10.1210/jc.85.12.4758