Humoral and cellular immune factors in autoimmune thyroiditis

Abstract

Special immunological methods of investigation were used in the examinations of 102 patients with autoimmune thyroiditis. Group 1 were 43 patients with euthyrosis, group 2 18 subjects with compensated, and group 3 41 patients with decompensated hypothyrosis. Humoral, cell-mediated, and phagocytic factors of the immunity were assessed by 16 parameters, and the findings interpreted in correlation with the findings of similar examinations of 35 donors. Marked changes in the T-cellular and humoral components of the immunity system were revealed, which depended on the function of the thyroid. These changes were the most expressed in decompensated hypothyrosis. Individual analysis showed that euthyrosis and compensated hypothyrosis are more often associated with increased immunologic reaction. The absence of E- receptor hyperreactivity in compensated hypothyrosis and a sharp reduction of T-gamma lymphocyte subpopulation may be explained by the development of adaptation mechanisms. The authors necessitate simultaneous use of the cytotoxic test and E-RFC test for the assesstment of T-cell populations. They emphasize the importance of immunologic monitoring over the course of treatment of patients with autoimmune thyroiditis.