SCID mice carry a VDJ-recombinase associated defect and many of their immune cells fail to rearrange both T cell receptor and immunoglobulin genes. We have transplanted thyroid cells from patients, with and without autoimmune thyroid disease, into the subcutaneous tissue of SCID mice and subsequently transplanted peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from the same donor into the peritoneal cavity. The transplanted immune cells secreted large quantities of human IgG and autoantibodies to human thyroid-peroxidase (TPO) and the thyroid cells secreted human thyroglobulin into the murine serum. We have, therefore, introduced an adult human immune repertoire into an animal hosting a functioning autologous thyroid. We now plan a number of unique approaches which, we believe, will make this an important model for the study of human autoimmune thyroid disease. We will (1) determine if human lymphocytes """"""""home"""""""" to human thyroid cell transplants in these SCID mice, (2) evaluate, using the polymerase chain reaction technique T cell receptor V alpha and beta gene usage by T cells which accumulate within the human thyroid cells, (3) investigate thyroid antigen presentation in SCID mice with macrophage transplants or human thyroid cell transplants, and (4) explore mechanisms for prolonging graft survival in SCID mice by examining the reduction in natural killer (NK) cell activity induced by monoclonal antibody treatment and also a new strain of SCID mice with a reduced NK cell population (NOD/SCID). The human thyroid transplanted SCID mouse is more than an animal model, it contains and preserves in a potentially functional state of elements of a human thyroid-immune axis. This means that, for the first time, we can study in vivo, a model of the human immune system and its repertoire interacting with the target organ.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DK045011-02
Application #
2144248
Study Section
Immunological Sciences Study Section (IMS)
Project Start
1993-01-01
Project End
1995-12-31
Budget Start
1994-01-01
Budget End
1994-12-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1994
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10029
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Ban, Yoshiyuki; Concepcion, Erlinda S; Villanueva, Ronald et al. (2004) Analysis of immune regulatory genes in familial and sporadic Graves' disease. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 89:4562-8
Ando, Takao; Latif, Rauf; Daniel, Samira et al. (2004) Dissecting linear and conformational epitopes on the native thyrotropin receptor. Endocrinology 145:5185-93
Ando, Takao; Latif, Rauf; Davies, Terry F (2004) Concentration-dependent regulation of thyrotropin receptor function by thyroid-stimulating antibody. J Clin Invest 113:1589-95
Ban, Y; Davies, T F; Greenberg, D A et al. (2004) Arginine at position 74 of the HLA-DR beta1 chain is associated with Graves' disease. Genes Immun 5:203-8
Latif, R; Ando, T; Davies, T F (2004) Monomerization as a prerequisite for intramolecular cleavage and shedding of the thyrotropin receptor. Endocrinology 145:5580-8
Ando, Takao; Davies, Terry F (2004) Self-recognition and the role of fetal microchimerism. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 18:197-211
Ciullo, I; Latif, R; Graves, P et al. (2003) Functional assessment of the thyrotropin receptor-beta subunit. Endocrinology 144:3176-81
Ando, Takao; Davies, Terry F (2003) Clinical Review 160: Postpartum autoimmune thyroid disease: the potential role of fetal microchimerism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 88:2965-71

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