Histological and Functional Changes in the Thyroid Glands of Mice Implanted With Hybridomas Secreting Monoclonal Autoantibody Against Mouse Thyroglobulin

Abstract

Mouse hybridoma cells secreting monoclonal antibody (mAb) against mouse thyroglobulin were established. The implantation of the hybridomas succeeded to induce high tilers of circulating mAb against thyroglobulin in sera of mice. By using the implantation of the hybridomas in mice, the effect of autoantibody on the thyroid glands was studied histologically and functionally. In these mice the thyroid follicles were significantly swollen and warped, whereas there was no infiltration of inflammatory cells. The ¹²⁵-uptake in their thyroid glands was markedly decreased. There were no functional changes in control mice implanted with non-secreting P3U1 partner cells. Therefore, it was suggested that high liters of anti-lhyroglobulin autoantibody could definitely cause the histological and functional damages in the thyroid glands.