The pattern of a T(H)1 cytokine in autoimmune thyroiditis

This study performed on 51 patients with autoimmune thyroiditis and 15 heal thy subjects was aimed at correlating the activation of T cells and the sec retion of inflammatory cytokine with echography and thyroid functional assa ys. A significant increase of activated T cells was observed in Hashimoto p atients illustrated by an increased percentage of CD3 + CD25 + T cells (P < 0.01). Similarly, increased amounts of IL-2, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma were in the serum of patients compared with the control group in which these cyt okines are barely detectable. An in vitro study shows a significant increas e of IL-2 and TNF-alpha upon the exposure to Concanavalin A. These results suggest that T(H)1 secreting inflammatory cytokines may contribute to patho genesis of autoimmune thyroiditis. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B .V. All rights reserved.