The development of autoimmunity was investigated after repeated immuni
zations with human thyrotropin receptor (hTSH-R) of five congenic stra
ins of female and male mice. After each immunization, free T3 levels a
nd antibodies to hTSH-R and to six peptides of the hTSH-R were assayed
. Our results showed that H-2s and H-2q female mice developed features
of autoimmunity such as antibody responses to hTSH-R and to hTSH-R pe
ptides, transient variations in the levels of free T3 thyroid hormone,
and lymphocytic infiltrations in their thyroid glands. Concerning the
antibody responses to hTSH-R peptides, we found that peptide P1 (352-
366) contained a major B cell epitope. Furthermore, strain-specific B
cell epitope was exemplified by peptide 92 (12-30) and two male- and f
emale-specific B cell epitopes were located in peptides 91 (32-46) and
93 (316-330), respectively. These features appeared rather related to
hyperthyroidism. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.