Study on the pathogenesis of Graves' ophthalmopathy

Graves眼病是一种自身免疫性疾病，常与Graves病相关。然而，自身抗原和遗传易感性的性质尚未完全澄清。本研究的目的是研究细胞因子基因和免疫调节基因等候选基因的多态性。TNF-α基因多态性在日本和波兰白种人中与氧化石墨烯相关。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或IL-18基因多态性与氧化石墨烯无关。氧化石墨烯患者眼眶脂肪组织中检测TSH受体和甲状腺球蛋白mrna。然而，表达水平低于甲状腺中的表达水平。研究这些分子在眼眶内的表达调控可能为氧化石墨烯的治疗提供线索。

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.