HLA-DRB1 polymorphism determines susceptibility to autoimmune thyroiditis in transgenic mice: Definitive association with HLA-DRB1*0301 (DR3) gene

Yi Chi M. Kong, Lesley C. Lomo, Reinhard W. Motte, Alvaro A. Giraldo, Jean Baisch, Gudrun Strauss, Gunter J. Hämmerling, Chella S. David

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

116 Scopus citations

Abstract

Familial clustering autoimmune thyroid diases has led to studies of their association with human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II genes. One such gene implicated in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is HLA-DR3, but the association is weak and is contradicted by other reports. On the other hand, murine experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT), a model for HT, presents a clear linkage with MHC class II. Moreover, it is inducible with thyroglobulin (Tg), the common autoantigen in either species. Immunization of HA-DRB1*0301 (DR3) transgenic with mouse or human Tg resulted in severe thyroiditis. In contrast, transgenic mice with mouse or human Tg resulted in severe thyroiditis. In contrast transgenic mice expressing the HLA-DRB1*1502 (DR2) gene were resistant to EAT. Our studies show that HLA-DRB1 polymorphism determines susceptibility to autoimmune thyroiditis and implicate Tg as an important autoantigen.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1167-1172
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine
Volume184
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 1996

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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