Study on the pathogenesis of Graves' ophthalmopathy

格雷夫斯眼病是一种自身免疫性疾病，经常与格雷夫斯病。然而，自身抗原和遗传易感性的性质尚未完全阐明。本研究的目的是研究肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）基因多态性与GO的相关性。CTLA-4基因多态性与两个种族的Graves病相关，但与GO无关。IL-13基因多态性与日本人GD易感性相关，但与波兰人无关。IFN-γ、IL-6、IL-18基因多态性与GO无相关性。然而，表达水平低于甲状腺。研究这些分子在眼眶中的表达调控可能为GO的治疗提供线索。

Graves' ophthalmopathy is an autoimmune disorder and frequently associated with Graves' disease. However, the nature of autoantigen and genetic predisposition has not been fully clarified. The aim of the present study was to investigate the polymorphism of the candidate genes such as cytokine genes and immune regulatory genes.TNF-α gene polymorphism was associated with GO in both Japanese and Polish Caucasians. CTLA-4 gene polymorphism was associated with Graves' disease in both races, but not with GO. IL-13 gene polymorphism was associated with GD susceptibility in Japanese, but not in Polish. IFN-γ,IL-6, or IL-18 gene polymorphisms were not associated with GO.TSH receptor and thyroglobulin mRNAs were detected in orbital fat tissues from patients with GO. However, the levels of the expression were smaller than those in the thyroid. Studies on the regulation of the expression of these molecules in the orbit may provide a clue for the therapy of GO.