Innate Immune Activation and Thyroid Autoimmunity

Abstract

AITD develops by a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. Innate immune responses are associated with thyroid dysfunction, tissue destruction, and the likely development and perpetuation of AITD. In addition to the other factors, cell injury may contribute to the activation of innate immune response and the development of AITD.

Iodine-131 therapy alters the immune/inflammatory responses in the thyroids of patients with Graves' disease

“…Abnormalities in T-cell subsets (2) and other innate immune cells (4), and the production of TRAb due to excessively activated B cells (18), are important pathogenic events in GD. As one of the most commonly used treatments for GD, 131 I therapy is able to induce cellular apoptosis, which may induce the rupture of thyroid follicular cells and induce the release of cellular contents into the bloodstream.…”

“…The development of GD is influenced by various genetic and environmental factors and the interactions between them (1). GD pathogenesis is generally characterized by abnormalities in T-cell subsets (2,3), innate immune cells (4), and various cytokines, which ultimately decreases immune tolerance and excessively activates B cells, promoting the production of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor antibody (TRAb). The biased activation of helper T (Th) cells has an important role in GD development (5,6) and the imbalance of Th1/Th2 cell immunity may result in a shift toward the Th2-type immune response (7).…”

Thyroid autoimmunity as a window to autoimmunity: An explanation for sex differences in the prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity

“…Thyrocytes have the ability to recognize and respond to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP) through PRR. The PRR‫׳‬s include Toll-like receptors, Nod-like receptors and many others (reviewed in Kawashima et al (2011)). Thyrocytes also have the ability to respond to damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMP) coming from cellular damage (Kawashima et al, 2011) -especially a response to double stranded DNA and/or RNA.…”

“…Here, we will try to establish an inflammatory cause for the development of the foundation for thyroid autoimmunity through leptin and other adipokines (Carbone et al, 2012), and the ability of thyroid cells to participate in innate immunity (reviewed in Kawashima et al (2011)). The thyroid also seems to be somewhat unique immunologically.…”

Demonstration of Innate Immune Responses in the Thyroid Gland: Potential to Sense Danger and a Possible Trigger for Autoimmune Reactions

“…Infection or tissue injury triggers innate immune reactions that constitute the first line of defense against invading pathogens, leading to the initiation of inflammation, clearance of pathogens, and tissue repair (6)(7)(8)(9).…”