The role of vitamin D as an immune modulator has been emphasized in recent years,and low levels of the hormone were observed in several autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus...The role of vitamin D as an immune modulator has been emphasized in recent years,and low levels of the hormone were observed in several autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus.Vitamin D mediates its effect though binding to vitamin D receptor(VDR),and activation of VDR-responsive genes.While VDR gene polymorphism was found to associate with autoimmune thyroid diseases(AITDs),few studies examined levels of vitamin D in these patients and those that did yielded conflicting results.We therefore undertook to evaluate the levels of vitamin D in patients with AITDs compared to patients with non-AITDs and healthy controls.Serum vitamin D(25-OH)levels were measured in 50 patients with AITDs,42 patients with non-AITDs and 98 healthy subjects,utilizing the LIAISON chemiluminescence immunoassay(DiaSorin,Saluggia,Italy).VitaminD deficiency was designated at levels lower than 10 ng/ml.Antithyroid antibodies,thyroid functions and demographic parameters were evaluated in all patients.The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was significantly higher in patients with AITDs compared with healthy individuals(72% versus 30.6%;P<0.001),as well as in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis compared to patients with non-AITDs(79% versus 52%;P<0.05).Vitamin D deficiency also correlated to the presence of antithyroid antibodies(P=0.01)and abnormal thyroid function tests(P=0.059).Significantly low levels of vitamin D were documented in patients with AITDs that were related to the presence of anti thyroid antibodies and abnormal thyroid function tests,suggesting the involvement of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of AITDs and the advisability of supplementation.展开更多
The thymus is a central lymphatic organ that is responsible for many immunological functions,including the production of mature,functional T cells and the induction of self-tolerance.Benign or malignant tumors may ori...The thymus is a central lymphatic organ that is responsible for many immunological functions,including the production of mature,functional T cells and the induction of self-tolerance.Benign or malignant tumors may originate from the thymus gland,with thymoma being the most common and accounting for 50% of anterior mediastinal tumors.Malignancies linked to thymoma include the loss of self-tolerance and the presence of autoimmunity.In this review,we compiled the current scientific evidence detailing the various interactions between thymoma and autoimmune diseases,including myasthenia gravis,systemic lupus erythematosus,inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion,pure red cell aplasia,pernicious anemia,pemphigus and autoimmune thyroid diseases.In recent years,several mechanisms have been proposed to explain these interactions.Most are based on the assumption that the‘sick’thymus,like the‘normal’thymus,can generate mature T cells;however,the T cells generated by the sick thymus are impaired and thus may exert cellular autoreactivity.Here,we present several theories that may shed light on the loss of self-tolerance associated with this epithelial tumor of the thymus.展开更多
In recent decades,an enormous effort has been made to elucidate the pathogenesis of autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases.Autoimmunity is a multifactorial process in which genetic,immunological,environmental and ho...In recent decades,an enormous effort has been made to elucidate the pathogenesis of autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases.Autoimmunity is a multifactorial process in which genetic,immunological,environmental and hormonal factors play in concert,together representing what was termed years ago the‘mosaic of autoimmunity’.To date,more than 80 systemic and organ-specific autoimmune diseases have been defined,and their cumulative burden is substantial,both medically and financially.Furthermore,the burden of autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases is rising,making these diseases a ubiquitous global phenomenon that is predicted to further increase in the coming decades.In this issue of the journal,additional aspects of autoimmunity are detailed.Immune dysregulation and loss of self-tolerance are the cornerstones of autoimmunity.展开更多
文摘The role of vitamin D as an immune modulator has been emphasized in recent years,and low levels of the hormone were observed in several autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus.Vitamin D mediates its effect though binding to vitamin D receptor(VDR),and activation of VDR-responsive genes.While VDR gene polymorphism was found to associate with autoimmune thyroid diseases(AITDs),few studies examined levels of vitamin D in these patients and those that did yielded conflicting results.We therefore undertook to evaluate the levels of vitamin D in patients with AITDs compared to patients with non-AITDs and healthy controls.Serum vitamin D(25-OH)levels were measured in 50 patients with AITDs,42 patients with non-AITDs and 98 healthy subjects,utilizing the LIAISON chemiluminescence immunoassay(DiaSorin,Saluggia,Italy).VitaminD deficiency was designated at levels lower than 10 ng/ml.Antithyroid antibodies,thyroid functions and demographic parameters were evaluated in all patients.The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was significantly higher in patients with AITDs compared with healthy individuals(72% versus 30.6%;P<0.001),as well as in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis compared to patients with non-AITDs(79% versus 52%;P<0.05).Vitamin D deficiency also correlated to the presence of antithyroid antibodies(P=0.01)and abnormal thyroid function tests(P=0.059).Significantly low levels of vitamin D were documented in patients with AITDs that were related to the presence of anti thyroid antibodies and abnormal thyroid function tests,suggesting the involvement of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of AITDs and the advisability of supplementation.
文摘The thymus is a central lymphatic organ that is responsible for many immunological functions,including the production of mature,functional T cells and the induction of self-tolerance.Benign or malignant tumors may originate from the thymus gland,with thymoma being the most common and accounting for 50% of anterior mediastinal tumors.Malignancies linked to thymoma include the loss of self-tolerance and the presence of autoimmunity.In this review,we compiled the current scientific evidence detailing the various interactions between thymoma and autoimmune diseases,including myasthenia gravis,systemic lupus erythematosus,inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion,pure red cell aplasia,pernicious anemia,pemphigus and autoimmune thyroid diseases.In recent years,several mechanisms have been proposed to explain these interactions.Most are based on the assumption that the‘sick’thymus,like the‘normal’thymus,can generate mature T cells;however,the T cells generated by the sick thymus are impaired and thus may exert cellular autoreactivity.Here,we present several theories that may shed light on the loss of self-tolerance associated with this epithelial tumor of the thymus.
文摘In recent decades,an enormous effort has been made to elucidate the pathogenesis of autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases.Autoimmunity is a multifactorial process in which genetic,immunological,environmental and hormonal factors play in concert,together representing what was termed years ago the‘mosaic of autoimmunity’.To date,more than 80 systemic and organ-specific autoimmune diseases have been defined,and their cumulative burden is substantial,both medically and financially.Furthermore,the burden of autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases is rising,making these diseases a ubiquitous global phenomenon that is predicted to further increase in the coming decades.In this issue of the journal,additional aspects of autoimmunity are detailed.Immune dysregulation and loss of self-tolerance are the cornerstones of autoimmunity.
