Abstract
Chemokines are a family of small, structurally related molecules that regulate cell
trafficking of various types of leukocytes through interactions with their seven-transmembrane,
G protein-coupled receptors. Their major function is the recruitment of leukocytes
to inflammation sites, but they also play roles in tumor growth, angiogenesis, organ
sclerosis, and autoimmunity. A variety of evidence has accumulated to support the
concept that thyroid follicular cells as well as intrathyroidal lymphocytes are able
to produce CC and CXC chemokines, which, in turn, promote the initiation and maintenance
of an inflammatory process resulting in autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD). Overexpression
of several chemokines in AITD has been demonstrated. Moreover, alterations of CCL2,
CCL5, CXCL9, and CXCL10 have been shown in circulation of many patients with AITD.
In subjects with Graves’ disease, antithyroid drug treatment, radioactive iodine ablation,
and thyroidectomy can significantly reduce CXCL10 levels. The measurement of chemokines
in serum of AITD patients might provide a useful parameter for the evaluation and
prediction of disease activity and progression. Further experimental and clinical
studies will expand our understanding of the clinical implications of chemokine detection
and the effects of chemokines on the pathogenesis of AITD.
Key words
chemokine - autoimmune thyroid disease - Graves’ disease - Hashimoto's thyroiditis
- thyroid cell
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Correspondence
M. SchottMD
Department of Endocrinology
Diabetes and Rheumatology
University Hospital Düsseldorf
Moorenstr. 5
40225 Düsseldorf
Germany
Phone: +49/211/811 78 10
Fax: +49/211/811 78 60
Email: matthias.schott@med.uni-duesseldorf.de
