Role of Autoantibodies in the Pathogenesis and Association of Endocrine Autoimmune Disorders*

Abstract

This review has focused on the nature and significance of aAB detected in the serum of patients with EAD. Although many antibodies are characteristically detected in the serum of patients with such disorders, only a few are of known pathogenic significance. Antibodies that react with soluble cytoplasmic antigens are not expected to be harmful. On the other hand, membrane or cell surface-directed antibodies are likely to be damaging, either by lysis of the cell membrane, or by reaction with hormone or other surface receptors. Clinically, measurement of aAB has important diagnostic and management value. Moreover, detection of certain antibodies before the onset of disease raises hope that the corresponding disorders may be preventable, e.g. by specific immunosuppression of those subjects, or patients, with positive tests. The possible role of aAB in the association of organ-specific AID by cross-reacting with shared epitopes in various tissues has been highlighted by the recent finding, from the authors' laboratory, of antibodies reactive with a 64-kDa membrane protein found in several tissues, including thyroid, eye muscle, and pancreas, which are frequent sites for autoimmune inflammation. Study of such antibodies and the molecular characterization of the corresponding antigens in the various involved tissues should provide information concerning the role of cross-reactivity in autoimmunity as well as leading to the development of specific immunotherapeutic agents.

A Possible Common Cell Surface Autoantigen in Islet .BETA.-Cells and Thyroid Follicular Cells in Patients with Non-lnsulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Thyroiditis.

“…In addition, other endocrine cells, such as pituitary cells and adrenal chromaffin cells, are known to have GAD, but are not always confined to GAD65 [37]. Furthermore, it was reported that autoantibodies to a 64 kDa protein isolated from the human thyroid and retroorbital tissue were identified in the sera of patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy [38] and the same autoantibodies cross-reacted with a 64 kDa antigen expressed on the surface of human pancreas cell membranes [39]. But it is not yet clear whether the thyroid 64 kDa protein is similar to the 64 kDa islet autoantigen (GAD65) [39].…”

“…Furthermore, it was reported that autoantibodies to a 64 kDa protein isolated from the human thyroid and retroorbital tissue were identified in the sera of patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy [38] and the same autoantibodies cross-reacted with a 64 kDa antigen expressed on the surface of human pancreas cell membranes [39]. But it is not yet clear whether the thyroid 64 kDa protein is similar to the 64 kDa islet autoantigen (GAD65) [39]. In any event, it is intriguing that the common 64 kDa autoantigen is present on both islet fl-cells and thyroid follicular cells.…”

Risk factors and pathogenesis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

“…Diagnozuojant šią ligą, paciento serume randama antikūnų prieš fermentą -skydliaukės peroksidazę (mikrosominiai antikūnai), skydliaukės folikulų koloidą -tiroglobuliną (tiroglobulino antikūnai) ir prieš skydliaukę stimuliuojamąjį hormoną (angl. thyroid-stimulating hormone -TSH) receptorius (TSH receptorių antikūnai) (1). Sergant autoimunine skydliaukės liga, pačioje skydliaukėje sekretuojami skydliaukės autoantikūnai.…”

Nationwide survey of comorbidity, use, and costs of all medications in Finnish diabetic individuals.

“…The greater use of drugs for hypothyroidism, adrenocortical hypofunction, pernicious anemia, and rheumatoid arthritis by diabetic individuals (particularly individuals with type 1 diabetes) than by control subjects undoubtedly reflects the frequent occurrence of type 1 diabetes with autoimmune disorders (21,22).…”