DescriptionSizeFormat
Abstract1 MBAdobe Acrobat PDFView/Open
Thesis3 MBAdobe Acrobat PDFView/Open

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/802688

Title
Autoantibody targets in autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 and lymphocytic hypophysitis
Author/Creator
Smith, Casey
Institution
University of Newcastle. Faculty of Health, School of Medicine and Public Health
Description
Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Description
Background: Autoimmune diseases arise from the breakdown of central tolerance resulting in the escape of self reactive T-lymphocytes from the thymus to the periphery. As a group of conditions, autoimmune diseases occur in approximately 5% of the general population and represent the third most common cause of morbidity, placing considerable expenses on the health care system and society. Understanding the underlying pathogenesis and pathophysiology of these diseases is therefore important for the correct diagnosis and treatment of these patients. While some autoimmune diseases have been paid particular attention, little is known about the pathogenesis of the pituitary autoantibodies. Aims: To identify target autoantigens in the pituitary autoimmune disease lymphocytic hypophysitis and autoantigen(s) relating to pituitary manifestations in APS1 patients. Methods: A pituitary cDNA expression library was immunocreened with lymphocytic hypophysitis and APS1 patient sera to identify target autoantigens. These were then tested in an ITT assay for autoantigen specificity to relating to the disorders. Immunofluorescence of pituitary tissue was performed to determine the cell types targeted in the disorders. Results: Two APS1 autoantigens were identified, a major autoantigen ECE-2 and a minor autoantigen TSGA10, although neither apparently correlated to pituitary manifestations in APS1. T-box 19 was also identified as a significant minor autoantigen in 10.5% of lymphocytic hypophysitis patients. Immunoreactivity in a single lymphocytic hypophysitis patient against cells of the intermediate lobe of the guinea pig pituitary is also reported. Discussion: Immunoscreening a target organ cDNA expression library is a valuable method for identifying novel autoantigens, with immunopreciptation assay a quick and reliable method for analysing a large cohort of patients for autoantibodies. We have identified another two APS1 autoantigens and the first significant autoantigen in lymphocytic hypophysitis. While further characterisation of these autoantigens are required, these novel findings broaden our current understanding of pituitary autoimmunity.
Relation
University of Newcastle Research Higher Degree Thesis
Date
2009
Keyword(s)
autoimmune diseases;  lymphocytic hypophysitis;  autoantigens;  pituitary autoimmunity
Resource Type
thesis
Rights
Copyright 2009 Casey Smith
Identifier
http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/802688
Language
eng
 
Image Thumbnail
119 Visitors 134 Hits 94 Downloads
Save/E-mail Citation
Citation Format
E-mail Address
Subject
"Autoantibody targets in autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 and lymphocytic hypophysitis"
 
OR