Hypothyroidism in transgenic mice expressing IFN-gamma in the thyroid

摘要

lFN-y has been implicated with contradictory results in the patho- genetic process of autoimmune (Hashimoto's) thyroiditis. the most common cause of hypothyroidism in adults. To test whether the local production of IFN-y can lead to thyroid dysfunction, we have generated transgenic mice that express constitutively lFN-y in the thyroid follicular cells. This expression resulted in severe hypothy- roidism, with growth retardation and disruption of the thyroid architecture. The hypothyroidism derived from a profound inhibi- tion of the expression of the sodium iodide symporter gene. Taken together. these results indicate a direct role of lFN-y in the thyroid dysfunction that occurs in autoimmune thyroiditis.