The Immunologic Basis of Graves's Disease

Abstract

Although many questions remain to be answered regarding the etiology of Graves's disease (toxic diffuse goiter), increasing evidence indicates that immune factors participate in its pathogenesis. Indeed, they may prove to be essential in the initiation of the disorder. As Werner and his colleagues note elsewhere in this issue, it has long been recognized that there is lymphocytic infiltration within the thyroid gland in Graves's disease; lymphocytosis, and enlargement of lymph nodes, thymus and spleen are also common. In addition, the finding of long-acting thyroid stimulator (LATS), which proved to be an immunoglobulin G (IgG), in the serum of many . . .