Preferential Use of T-Cell Receptor V Genes in Human Autoimmune Thyroid Disease

Abstract

We review here our analyses of hTcR V gene activity within the thyroid glands of patients with autoimmune thyroid disease. Our data, based on thyroid aspiration specimens, indicate that early in the onset of Graves' disease there is a marked restriction in both hTcR V α and β gene families utilized by intrathyroidal T-cells. Later, however, and as seen in surgical thyroid specimens from patients with long term disease, there appears to be a loss of Vβ restriction for unclear reasons. In contrast, patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis are usually diagnosed later in the natural history of the disease and appear to show much less hTcR V gene family restriction. The mechanisms driving the use of few and many hTcR V genes within the thyroid gland are likely to be complex and may reveal important insights into disease pathogenesis.

Key Words:

• T-cell receptor
• V genes
• autoimmune thyroid disease
• Graves' disease
• Hashimoto's disease
• PCR
• thyroid aspiration