Study of gene expression involved in autoimmune response in subjects with autoimmune thyroid diseases

• Grant number: 06/05801-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: December 01, 2007
• End date: May 31, 2010
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Human and Medical Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Suemi Marui
• Grantee: Suemi Marui
• Host Institution: Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP (HCFMUSP). Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Autoimmune thyroid disease represents a wide spectrum of clinical manifestation, corresponding to classical edges, Hashimoto thyroiditis and Graves disease. Tissue experiments with autoimmune thyroid disease have defined differences and similarities in some inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. There is a great overlap in Th1 and Th2 responses based on cytokines secretions. However, gene expressions of some chemokines are similar in Graves disease and Hashimoto thyroiditis. As there is an overlap between T and B lymphocytes functions, it is necessary to study the whole system, and not only the presence or absence of certain cytokines or antibodies. The pattern of specific mRNA transcripts of inflammatory response pathway can suggest one group of universally enrolled genes in different clinical presentations. A specific signature obtained from each phase of Hashimoto disease can provide information about pathogenesis, severity and even progression of the disorder. As every autoimmune disease has a systemic background, relevant clinical changes in gene expression can be seen in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Our study intends to characterize the expression of genes enrolled in inflammatory response in Graves and Hashimoto diseases, employing microarray of adaptative and inflammatory immune response genes. We also intend to determine the inflammatory pathways and their relationships in Graves´ disease and Hashimoto thyroiditis and define the prognostic role of genes in different evolutive phases of Hashimoto thyroiditis: euthyroidism with positive antibodies, subclinical hypothyroidism and established hypothyroidism. (AU)