| First Author | Kimura H | Year | 2005 |
| Journal | Int J Exp Pathol | Volume | 86 |
| Issue | 2 | Pages | 97-106 |
| PubMed ID | 15810981 | Mgi Jnum | J:127864 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3765160 | Doi | 10.1111/j.0959-9673.2005.00418.x |
| Citation | Kimura H, et al. (2005) Increased thyroidal fat and goitrous hypothyroidism induced by interferon-gamma. Int J Exp Pathol 86(2):97-106 |
| abstractText | Summary Hashimoto's thyroiditis is associated with a diffuse lymphocytic infiltration of the stroma and a production of several cytokines, such as interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). We previously reported that transgenic mice expressing IFN-gamma under the control of the thyroglobulin promoter develop primary hypothyroidism. In order to determine the long-term changes induced by IFN-gamma in the thyroid gland, we analysed cross-sectionally 202 mice (96 transgenic mice and 106 controls) of 0-650 days of age. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for age and sex, thyr-IFN-gamma transgenic mice were 14% (3 g) smaller (P < 0.0001) and had a 5- to 6-fold bigger thyroid (P < 0.0001) than wild-type littermates. Transgenic thyroids showed striking histopathological changes in follicles, thyrocytes and stroma. Follicles were enlarged, irregular and were lined by thickened, granular and oxyphilic thyrocytes. The stroma contained a moderate and diffuse mononuclear infiltrate--mainly composed of macrophages--and, interestingly, a clear increase in the content of fat. These findings indicate that, in addition to hypothyroidism, chronic exposure of the thyroid to IFN-gamma leads also to macrophage infiltration and subsequent adipocyte expansion, suggesting a link between inflammation and fat accumulation. |
