Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0004364 (autoimmune disease)
 24,845 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The aim of this study is to determine whether antithyroid drugs (ATD) act via inhibiting thyroid hormone synthesis or by interfering with the immune process which leads to autoimmune disease. Previously we had demonstrated that ATD do not affect HLA-DR and TPO antigen expressions induced by appropriate stimulus in normal thyrocytes, so we decided to study what happens when the same experiments are performed using autoimmune thyrocytes. Cultured thyroid tissue from patients operated on for Graves' Disease or Hashimoto's Thyroiditis were stimulated with TSH or TBII alone or associated with ATD; TPO antigen expression was evaluated by the Cytotoxicity Assay using human monoclonal antiTPO. When autoimmune thyrocytes were cultured and no stimulus was used or with the addition of MMI or PTU alone, very low values of TPO expression were noted (8.6 +/- 6.7, 5.0 +/- 7.1 and 4.2% +/- 2.3% respectively); if they were stimulated with TSH or TBII, a sharp rise of TPO antigen expression was detected (54.4 +/- 23.3 and 62.6 +/- 16.5%), these figures being significantly different from unstimulated cells (p < 0.001). If both stimulus were used associated with ATD, the high TPO antigen expression was unaffected. It is concluded that, at least in vitro, ATD have no effect upon induced-antigen expression in autoimmune thyrocytes. Since they do not alter antigen presentation, a primary step in the immune process, it is difficult to accept that their mechanism of action is through interference with the immune response.
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PMID:[Lack of in vitro effect of antithyroid drugs upon peroxidase antigen expression in autoimmune thyroid disease]. 751 5

Antithyroid drugs sometimes cause severe complications. Propylthiouracil (PTU) can be associated to ANCA positive vasculitis, most often related to myeloperoxidase subtype (ANCA-MPO). Our objective is to describe a female patient with Graves' disease, who developed PTU induced-autoimmune disease, with cutaneous, pulmonary, and renal lesions, associated with ANCA. Histopathological examination revealed diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage, and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis at the kidney biopsy. She was treated with systemic corticosteroid therapy and cyclophosphamide, with clinical improvement. This case highlights the need for greater awareness of this relatively rare adverse effect of propylthiouracil.
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PMID:[Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (Anca)-associated autoimmune disease induced by propylthiouracil]. 1743 68

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a common autoimmune disease in China. AAVs in the majority of Chinese patients are microscopic polyangiitis with antigenicity to myeloperoxidase. Propylthiouracil is the leading cause of drug-induced AAV. The genetic background and immunological characteristics of ANCA, such as the epitope, IgG subclass and avidity, might contribute to various clinical phenotypes of AAV.
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PMID:Antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-associated vasculitis in Chinese patients. 2318 38

Hyperthyroidism is a condition characterized by excessive production of thyroid hormones. Propylthiouracil (PTU) is commonly used as first line drug in the management of hyperthyroidism. This is a case report of 24-year-old female, a known case of hyperthyroidism since 4 years, who came with a history of fever and myalgia since 3 days and dyspnea with coughing out of blood since 1 day. Patient was taking PTU (100 mg per day) since 4 years for hyperthyroidism. Patient was immediately intubated for type-II respiratory failure. Diagnosed to be having PTU-induced autoimmune disease. PTU was stopped and treated with methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide. Clinical features improved over a period of 8 days and discharged home successfully. Having a high suspicion for the onset of autoimmune disease in hyperthyroidism patients who are on PTU therapy and timely treatment with immunosuppressants and supportive care along with the withdrawal of the drug can make a difference in morbidity and mortality.
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PMID:Propylthiouracil-induced autoimmune disease. 2632 10