Expression of the autoreactive Ig repertoire in a large family, with high prevalence of thyroid autoimmune diseases
Chabchoub, I.; Makni, H.; Boulila-el Gaied, A.; Maalej, A.; Abid, M.; Jouida, J.; Ayadi, H.
Archives de l'Institut Pasteur de Tunis 73(3-4): 163-166
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0020-2509 PMID: 9640495 Document Number: 460248
We have investigated the autoreactive Ig repertoire expressed by sera Ig of patients and healthy relatives individuals, who belong to a large family with high prevalence of autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD). We have used a panel of thyroid, muscular and nuclear self antigens. IgG autoantibodies directed against thyroid antigens were found in 17 out of 29 patients (58.62%) and in 10 out of 46 (21.7%) of relatives sera which suggested that some relatives were either predisposed to develop the AITD or already affected with AITD. IgM natural autoantibodies (NAAb) directed against muscular and nuclear antigens were found in 27 out of 46 (58.69%) of healthy individuals but not exhibited in all of the patients. In relative's sera, the presence of anti-Tg and anti-TPO seems to be associated with the increase of the NAAb activity. Our Data suggested that The emergence of anti-Tg and anti-TPO auto-antibodies is secondary to a polyclonal activation.