The Operation of Immunological Networks in Graves' Disease

Abstract

Association between Graves'' disease and HLA-B8 has been previously documented, as have been associations between Ig[immunoglobulin]G H chain allotype markers (Gm). A significant increase in the phenotype fnb/fb (i.e., positivity for fb) was found in patients with Graves'' disease compared to controls, raising the possibility of allotypic restriction of thyroid stimulating antibodies thought to be causually related to the disease. The influence of fb on the susceptibility to Graves'' disease was independent of HLA-B8 status suggesting that the immunological network operated by the histocompatibility-linked genes is independent of that centered around IgG allotypes. Whereas the former genes determine the level of helper T [thymus derived] lymphocyte function in the production of thyroid stimulating antibodies in Graves'' disease, a person who also happens to carry the Gm marker fb may be assured of the production of IgG antibodies with thyroid stimulatory activity.