Mechanisms of autoimmune thyroid diseases: from genetics to epigenetics
AbstractRecent advances in our understanding of geneticepigenetic interactions have unraveled new mechanisms underlying the etiology of complex autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) are highly prevalent, affecting 1 % to 5 % of the population. The major AITDs include Graves disease (GD) and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT); although these diseases contrast clinically, their pathogenesis involves shared immunogenetic mechanisms. Genetic data point to the involvement of both shared and unique genes. Among the shared susceptibility genes, HLA-DRβ1-Arg74 (human leukocyte antigen DR containing an arginine at position β74) confers the strongest risk. Recent genomewide analyses have revealed new putative candidate genes. Epigenetic modulation is emerging as a major mechanism by which environmental factors interact with AITD susceptibility genes. Dissecting the genetic – epigenetic interactions underlying the pathogenesis ofAITDis essential to uncover new therapeutic targets.
Annu. Rev. Pathol. Mech. Dis. – 2014. – Vol. 9. – Р. 147–56. doi: 10.1146/annurevpathol012513–104713
Keywords:autoimmunity, thyroid, Graves disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Dear readers!
Full-text version of the article is available only in paper version.