Pathogenesis of thyroid autoimmune disease: the role of cellular mechanisms

Publication date: October 2016 Source:Endocrinología y Nutrición (English Edition), Volume 63, Issue 8 Author(s): Ana Maria Ramos-Leví, Mónica Marazuela Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and Graves’ disease (GD) are two very common organ-specific autoimmune diseases which are characterized by circulating antibodies and lymphocyte infiltration. Although humoral and cellular mechanisms have been classically considered separately in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD), recent research suggests a close reciprocal relationship between these two immune pathways. Several B- and T-cell activation pathways through antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and cytokine production lead to specific differentiation of T helper (Th) and T regulatory (Treg) cells. This review will focus on the cellular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of AITD. Specifically, it will provide reasons for discarding the traditional simplistic dichotomous view of the T helper type 1 and 2 pathways (Th1/Th2) and will focus on the role of the recently characterized T cells, Treg and Th17 lymphocytes, as well as B lymphocytes and APCs, especially dendritic cells (DCs).
Source: Endocrinologia y Nutricion - Category: Endocrinology Source Type: research