摘要
OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of natural killer T (NK T) cells in the pathogenesis of Graves' disease. METHODS: NK T cell deficient mice and wild BALB/c mice were immunized with cells expressing TSH receptor once every two weeks 6 times. Two weeks after the final immunization, the mice were killed and serum thyroxine levels, anti-TSH receptor antibodies and thyroid pathological changes were examined. RESULTS: The mean levels of TT(4) and TRAb in the immunized NK T cell deficient group were slightly elevated but significantly different from those of the non-immunized control group, while comparable to those in the immunized wild group. There were no significant changes of the activity levels of TSAb or TSBAb in the immunized NK T cell deficient mice compared to those in immunized wild control mice. Thyroids from immunized NK T cell deficient mice showed mild hypertrophy of some follicles as compared with non-immunized control mice. This change was comparable to immunized wild control mice. CONCLUSION: NK T cells may not be involved in the pathogenesis of Graves' disease.
目的探讨自然杀伤T细胞(NK T)在Graves'病发病中的作用.方法用表达有人TSH受体的细胞免疫NK T细胞缺如小鼠和野生型BLAB/c小鼠,每两周一次共6次.在最后一次免疫结束后两周,处死小鼠,检测血清甲状腺素水平,TSH受体抗体及甲状腺病理改变.结果免疫后的NK T细胞缺如小鼠,血清TT4和TRAb水平轻度升高,并且与对照组比较,有显著性差异,但是在经免疫的NK T细胞缺如小鼠和野生型小鼠之间,血清平均TT4水平和TRAb水平相似,且TSAb与TSBAb水平变化两组之间无显著性差异.免疫后的NK T细胞缺如小鼠与野生小鼠甲状腺病理改变相似,但是与未经免疫的小鼠比较,表现为甲状腺滤泡细胞轻度增生.结论 NK T细胞可能不参与Graves'病的发生.
