Detection of CD40 on human thyroid follicular cells: analysis of expression and function

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
R A MetcalfeA P Weetman

Abstract

Thyroid follicular cells (TFC) are a common target of autoimmune attack, but the role they play in inciting and maintaining this attack is unclear. TFC express cytokines, adhesion molecules, and class I and II major histocompatibility complex molecules, but without additional signals that costimulate T cells, they may down-regulate, rather than stimulate, T cell function. In this report, we have investigated whether TFC can express the CD40 molecule, which plays a crucial role in the reciprocal two-way communication between T and B cells. We have shown by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry that CD40 is expressed by TFC in vivo and in vitro in both autoimmune and nonautoimmune glands. CD40 expression was up-regulated by interleukin-1alpha and interferon-gamma, but not by TSH. Although there was no significant effect of CD40 ligation on cAMP synthesis or [3H]thymidine incorporation, there was a significant increase in interleukin-6 release by TFC. Thus, although TFC do not express members of the B7 family of T cell costimulators, they do express CD40, indicating the possibility of mutually stimulatory T cell-TFC interaction. This has important implications, both for TFC synthesis of immunological mediators and for the biasin...Continue Reading

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Citations

Mar 30, 2012·Immunologic Research·Alia Hasham, Yaron Tomer
Aug 21, 2008·Thyroid : Official Journal of the American Thyroid Association·Andrew G GianoukakisTerry J Smith
Jul 8, 2010·Thyroid : Official Journal of the American Thyroid Association·Yaron Tomer
Sep 5, 2008·Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Obesity·Andrew G Gianoukakis, Terry J Smith
Apr 2, 2009·Medizinische Klinik·Georg DultzGeorge J Kahaly
Oct 16, 2007·The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism·E Chester RidgwaySandra M McLachlan

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