Thymic stromal lymphopoietin gene promoter polymorphisms and expression levels in Graves' disease and Graves' ophthalmopathy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Graves disease (GD) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease characterized by hyperthyroidism, diffuse goiter, autoantibodies against thyroid-specific antigens, and dermopathy. Studies of GD have demonstrated the importance of the Th2 and Th17 immune responses in mediating disease progression. In the present study, we investigated the role of a Th2 cytokine, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), in GD and Th17 differentiation.

Methods

In this study, we genotyped 470 patients with GD at 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TSLP. In addition, the serum concentrations of TSLP were determined in 432 patients and 272 controls. Ten patients and controls each were further screened using in vitro Th17 differentiation assays. The SNPs were genotyped using ABI TaqMan®

SUBMITTER: Tsai KH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3582428 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature