[A study of cytokines in pathogenesis of thyroid-related immune orbitopathy]

Abstract

Objective: To explore the pathogenesis of thyroid-related immune orbitopathy (TRIO).

Methods: Human orbital fibroblasts were cultured in vitro and immunohistochemical techniques were used to study cytokines that induce effect on HLA-II antigen expression of orbital fibroblasts.

Results: It is shown that interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) could induce the expression of orbital fibroblast HLA-II antigens. The induced effect of IFN-gamma is of good linear correlations with time and concentration.

Conclusion: HLA-II antigen expression can be induced by IFN-gamma, IL-1 and TNF. In the course of immune reaction and pathogenesis of TRIO, cytokines play important roles.