Th1/Th2 cytokine production and reception features in Graves' disease

Cytokines and their receptors belong to a significant role in the initiation and the subsequent course and outcome of autoimmune thyroid disease. Interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-cytokines, which have a multifaceted impact on the various stages of the immune response: the development of inflammatory response, cell proliferation, antibody and acute phase proteins synthesis. Pre-existing pattern of development of autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's thyroiditis) and Graves' disease (GD) as a state with two opposite positions of the predominant profile of Th1/Th2-lymphocyte activation. The study evaluated the cytokine production by Th1- and Th2-lymphocytes in patients with GD, assessment of lymphocyte receptor system and identified lymphocytes subpopulation in patients with BG, and the impact on the functional state of thyroid gland. It was shown that the immunoregulatory cytokines as Th1(IL2)- and Th2(IL-4)-helper lymphocytes are involved in the immune mechanism of BG. The level of IL-2, IL4, and TNF-α, and the number complementary lymphocyte receptors were not significantly changed in euthyroid or hyperthyroid GD patient. Nevertheless, there are strong correla! tions between production of immunoregulatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-4) with the functional state of the thyroid gland and increase of its volume in GD patient, what confirms the “functional synergies” of these cytokines in autoimmune inflammation in the GD