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Detection and characterization of autoantibodies blocking the TSH-dependent cAMP production using FRTL-5 cells

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Abstract

Autoantibodies blocking the TSH-stimulated cAMP production (TBkAb) were measured in immunoglobulin G (IgG) preparations from 38 patients with primary autoimmune hypothyroidism, using FRTL-5 cells. TBkAb were detectable in 15/23 IgG preparations from patients with untreated idiopathic myxedema, and in 2/15 IgGs from patients under L-thyroxine treatment. None of the IgG from 22 normal subjects or from 10 patients with nonautoimmune hypothyroidism following total thyroidectomy caused any significant effect on the TSH-stimulated cAMP production. No correlation was found between TBkAb and the thyroid microsomal antibody. Antibodies inhibiting the 125I-TSH binding to TSH receptor were detectable in only 3/20 patients; IgGs from these 3 patients were also positive in the TBkAb assay. One IgG with potent TBkAb activity inhibited the TSH-stimulated adenylate cyclase in a competitive manner, while it had no effect on the forskolin-stimulated cAMP production. The inhibiting action of this IgG was almost completely lost after preabsorption with human thyroid membranes. In conclusion, we describe a new practical and sensitive method for the measurement of TBkAb; TBkAb are distinct from the microsomal antibody, and are probably directed to the TSH receptor.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cattedra di Endocrinologia, Istituto di Metodologia Clinica, University of Pisa, 56018, Tirrenia (Pisa), Italy

    Luca Chiovato, P. Vitti, A. Lombardi, G. Lopez, F. Santini, E. Macchia, G. F. Fenzi, C. Mammoli, S. Battiato & A. Pinchera

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  1. Luca Chiovato
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  2. P. Vitti
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  3. A. Lombardi
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  4. G. Lopez
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  5. F. Santini
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  6. E. Macchia
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  7. G. F. Fenzi
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  8. C. Mammoli
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  9. S. Battiato
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  10. A. Pinchera
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Additional information

This work was supported by grants from the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Progetto Finalizzato Medicina Preventiva e Riabilitativa, Sottoprogetto II (Meccanismi di Invecchiamento; grant 84.02464.56), and the Ministero della Pubblica Istruzione, Rome, Italy.

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Chiovato, L., Vitti, P., Lombardi, A. et al. Detection and characterization of autoantibodies blocking the TSH-dependent cAMP production using FRTL-5 cells. J Endocrinol Invest 10, 383–388 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03348154

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03348154

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