This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Battifora, M. Articles by Bagnasco, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Battifora, M. Articles by Bagnasco, M.

B7.1 Costimulatory Molecule Is Expressed on Thyroid Follicular Cells in Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, But Not in Graves’ Disease¹

Allergy and Clinical Immunology Service (M.B., G.P., F.P., N.F., A.M.R., M.B.), Department of Internal Medicine (DI.M.I.), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; INSERM U119 (D.O.), Marseilles, France; Laboratory of Immunology (C.G.), Endocrinology Section, Institute of Clinica Medica, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; Institute of Clinica Chirurgica R (G.T.), University of Genoa, Italy

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Prof. Marcello Bagnasco, M.D., Allergy and Clinical Immunology Service, Department of Internal Medicine-DI.M.I. University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV,6, 16132 Genova, Italy.

The molecules of the B7 family play a major role in T-lymphocyte costimulation through interaction with their counterreceptors CD28 and CTLA4. In the present study, we analyzed the possible expression of B7 molecules on surgically removed thyroid tissue of patients with autoimmune [Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) or Graves’ disease (GD)] or nonautoimmune [nontoxic goiter (NTG) or papillary cancer (PC)] thyroid diseases. We found clear positivity of thyroid follicular cells for B7.1 in HT but not in GD, nor in nonautoimmune specimens (NTG, PC) using in situ analysis by alkaline phosphatase anti-alkaline phosphatase (APAAP) technique. Double immunostaining experiments in combination with an anti-human thyroglobulin antibody confirmed follicular B7.1 localization. On the contrary, no follicular B7.2 expression was observed in any specimen analyzed. These findings were confirmed by immunofluorescence flow cytometry on isolated follicular cells. The cytokines IL1ß and LPS were able to induce de novo B7.1 expression on cultured thyroid follicular cells. Intrathyroid T cells proved responsive to stimulation via the B7 ligand CD28, even in the absence of IL2. Moreover preliminary evidence was obtained for an inhibitory effect of anti-B7.1 mAb on T-cell proliferation in coculture with isolated thyroid follicular cells. It is conceivable that in HT, expression of B7.1 on follicular cells, together with MHC class II antigens and ICAM1, could provide a local costimulatory signal for T-lymphocyte differentiation toward the type 1 cytokine secretion pattern and maintenance of the autoimmune process.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. Dooley, M. Erickson, and A. G. Farr Alterations of the Medullary Epithelial Compartment in the Aire-Deficient Thymus: Implications for Programs of Thymic Epithelial Differentiation J. Immunol., October 15, 2008; 181(8): 5225 - 5232. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Kimura, M. Kimura, S.-C. Tzou, Y.-C. Chen, K. Suzuki, N. R. Rose, and P. Caturegli Expression of Class II Major Histocompatibility Complex Molecules on Thyrocytes Does Not Cause Spontaneous Thyroiditis but Mildly Increases Its Severity after Immunization Endocrinology, March 1, 2005; 146(3): 1154 - 1162. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. Estienne, N. Brisbarre, S. Blanchin, J.-M. Durand-Gorde, P. Carayon, and J. Ruf An in vitro model based on cell monolayers grown on the underside of large- pore filters in bicameral chambers for studying thyrocyte-lymphocyte interactions Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, December 1, 2004; 287(6): C1763 - C1768. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Blanchin, V. Estienne, J.-M. Durand-Gorde, P. Carayon, and J. Ruf Complement Activation by Direct C4 Binding to Thyroperoxidase in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Endocrinology, December 1, 2003; 144(12): 5422 - 5429. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Shah, K. Banks, A. Patel, S. Dogra, R. Terrell, P. A. Powers, C. Fenton, C. A. Dinauer, R. M. Tuttle, and G. L. Francis Intense Expression of the B7-2 Antigen Presentation Coactivator Is an Unfavorable Prognostic Indicator for Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma of Children and Adolescents J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., September 1, 2002; 87(9): 4391 - 4397. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]