Upregulated tissue expression of T helper (Th) 17 pathogenic interleukin (IL)-23 and IL-1β in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis but not in Graves’ disease

Abstract

T helper (Th) 17 cells and interleukin (IL)-17 play a significant role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). However, it has recently become clear that Th17 cells are more heterogeneous and exhibit two different phenotypes, whereas IL-23 and IL-1β are crucial for the generation of pathogenic Th17 lymphocytes. We aimed to investigate the association between IL-17 and Th17-promoting cytokines in AITD by studying the immunoexpression patterns of IL-17, IL-23, and IL-1β in thyroid tissue. Following thyroidectomy, 29 patients with AITD (21 cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and 8 cases of Graves' disease (GD)) and 18 patients with colloid goiter, as controls, were enrolled in this study, and immunohistochemistry was performed. The expression level of IL-17 in thyrocytes was significantly higher in HT and GD patients than in colloid goiter patients. Immunopositivity for both IL-23 and IL-1β was significantly increased in HT patients compared to GD and colloid goiter patients. However, no difference was found between IL-23 or IL-1β expression in patients with GD and colloid goiter. A positive correlation between IL-17 and IL-23 as well as IL-17 and IL-1β expression was observed in HT patients (r = 0.574, p = 0.007 and r = 0.461, p = 0.036, respectively). In the GD group, IL-17 was positively correlated with IL-1β (r = 0.817, p = 0.013) but not with IL-23 expression. We found increased IL-23 and IL-1β expression in the HT group but not in the GD group. Furthermore, both interleukins were correlated with IL-17 immunopositivity in thyroid tissue, suggesting that pathogenic Th17-promoting cytokines may play a role in HT pathogenesis.

Plasma levels of Th17‐associated cytokines and selenium status in autoimmune thyroid diseases

“…In contrast, Figueroa‐Vega et al 4 did not find any significant differences in IL‐23 levels between GD patients and healthy subjects. Previously, we demonstrated thyrocyte‐related IL‐23 overexpression in HT patients, while no difference was found between GD and colloid goiter patients, suggesting that IL‐23 may be less implicated in GD pathogenesis than in HT pathogenesis 18 …”

“…Previously, we demonstrated thyrocyte‐related IL‐23 overexpression in HT patients, while no difference was found between GD and colloid goiter patients, suggesting that IL‐23 may be less implicated in GD pathogenesis than in HT pathogenesis. 18 …”

Identification of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus DNA, p16, and E6/E7 Oncoproteins in Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinomas

“…Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed manually using sections collected on SuperFrost Plus slides (Gerhard Menzel GmbH, Germany). Immunostaining was carried out following the previously used IHC protocol [41,42].…”

The exploration of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis related miscarriage for better treatment modalities

“…Moreover, the balance of CD4 + T cell subsets, especially the Th1/Th2 ratio on the maternal-fetal interface, is closely related to reproductive success 16 , 59 . Therefore, continuous high expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines and low expression levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines in T cell subsets in PB 60 - 62 can weaken immune tolerance at the maternal-fetal interface and the progression of thyroiditis ( Figure 2 ). Regarding euthyroid patients with HT with (or without) NEADs, notably, an inspiring study by Santaguida et al 63 measured the intracellular Th1 and Th2 distinctive cytokine levels (IL-2 in Th1 and IL-4 in Th2) in these patients.…”