Studies in mice deficient for the autoimmune regulator (Aire) and transgenic for the thyrotropin receptor reveal a role for Aire in tolerance for thyroid autoantigens.

ABSTRACT: The autoimmune regulator (Aire) mediates central tolerance for many autoantigens, and autoimmunity occurs spontaneously in Aire-deficient humans and mice. Using a mouse model of Graves' disease, we investigated the role of Aire in tolerance to the TSH receptor (TSHR) in Aire-deficient and wild-type mice (hyperthyroid-susceptible BALB/c background). Mice were immunized three times with TSHR A-subunit expressing adenovirus. The lack of Aire did not influence T-cell responses to TSHR protein or TSHR peptides. However, antibody levels were higher in Aire-deficient than wild-type mice after the second (but not the third) immunization. After the third immunization, hyperthyroidism persisted in a higher proportion of Aire-deficient than wild-type mice. Aire-deficient mice were crossed with transg

SUBMITTER: Misharin AV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2689795 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature