Autoantibodies, immunoglobulins and cytokine profile in patients with graves' disease and Graves' orbitopathy

BACKGROUND: Graves' Orbitopathy (GO) — also known as Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) — is an autoimmune condition in the modern sense. It is closely associated with autoimmune thyroid diseases. Cytokine-mediated mechanisms play a critical part in immunopathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid diseases including GO. Investigating cytokine profiles as well as antibodies to tissue-specific antigens is essential for explaining GO pathogenesis and developing future therapeutic strategies.
AIMS: The study examines serum levels of cytokines, autoantibodies and immunoglobulins IgG and IgG4 as mediators of autoimmune inflammation in patients with GO and Graves' Disease (GD).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 52 patients (104 orbits) aged 25-70 years (mean age 48,8±12,3) in the active phase of GO and GD verified with the international diagnostic standards. These patients did not get any treatment for GO before. The control group consisted of 14 individuals (28 orbits) aged 30-68 years without known autoimmune disease.
Serum levels of IgG, IgG4,TNFα, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-13, sIL-6R, sTNFα- RI и TNFα- R2 IL-2R, TGFβ1, TGF β3, antibodies to TSH-receptor, free T4, free T3 and TSH were measured. A diagnostic ultrasound exam of thyroid gland, multislice computed tomography (MSCT) / magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of orbits were performed.
RESULTS: Mean duration of GO prior to being admitted to the centre was 8,8±1,5 months (range: 1 — 48 months). According to the degree of thyrotoxicosis compensation: 24 patients were clinically euthyroid, TSH 3,3±0,7 mU/L, free T4 11,9±0,59 pmol/L, free T3 3,97±0,1 pmol/L; 28 patients were considered to have subclinical thyrotoxicosis: TSH 0,03±0,01 mU/L, free T4 14,2±1,0 pmol/L, free T3 5,77±0,49 pmol/L. Serum levels of sTNFα-R2 (p=0,041, p≤0,05), sIL-2R (p=0,020, p≤0,05), TGFβ1 (p=0,000, p≤0,001) were significantly higher in patients with GO compared to the control group. Serum levels of sTNFRα2 (p=0,038, p<0,05) and TGFβ1 (P=0,011, p≤0,05) were positively correlated with the duration of GO. The positive correlations between the serum level of sIL-6R (p=0,034, p≤0,05) and the severity of GO as well as between the serum level of sTNFα- R 1 (P=0,012, p≤0,05) and activity of GO were observed. 54% of patients had elevated concentration level of IgG4 in IgG ( >5%).
CONCLUSION: High levels of soluble cytokine receptors sTNFα-R2 and sIL-2R and cytokine TGFβ1 in patients with long-standing untreated GO and GD being euthyroid or having subclinical thyrotoxicosis indicate activation of regulatory T cells aimed at suppressing autoimmune processes. High concentration level of IgG4 in IgG and cytokine TGFβ1 can determine the development of fibrotic changes in the orbital tissues. A decrease in the concentration of cytokine TGFβ1 can indicate an unfavorable course of the disease GO.

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