Abstract
Experimental autoimmune thyroiditis was induced in transgenic mice (TG- 3) producing human α-fetoprotein (AFP) and in control mice by immunization of porcine thyroid peroxidase (TPO). Development of thyroiditis accompanied with mononuclear cell infiltration was observed in 6 out of 8 treated control mice. In contrast, the development was significantly suppressed in TG-3 mice and mild histologic change was observed in only I out of 8 TG-3 mice (p < 0.05). Serum anti-TPO antibody titers gradually increased in TG-3 mice as well as in control mice and there were no significant differences. In vitro phytohemagglutinin response of splenocytes from TG-3 mice was lower than that from control mice. Significantly reduced numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ splenocytes, total thymocytes, and CD4+ thymocytes were found in the nontreated TG-3 mice as compared with those in control mice. These results suggest that ubiquitously produced AFP modulates in vivo T cell development and/or T cell-dependent immune responses.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 162-171 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Tumor Biology |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - May 1 1999 |
Keywords
- Autoimmune thyroiditis
- Immunoregulation
- Thyroid peroxidase
- Transgenic mouse
- α-Fetoprotein
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cancer Research