Dendritic cells produce interleukin-12 in hyperthyroid mice.

We previously reported that serum interleukin-12 (IL-12) levels were significantly increased in patients with hyperthyroid Graves' disease and in normal subjects after administration of thyroid hormone. In the present study, we investigated which cells produce IL-12 and the interactions between IL-12 and thyroid hormones, using a hyperthyroid mouse model. Thyroid hormones induced IL-12 production, and IL-12 was mainly produced by dendritic cells outside the thyroid glands in a hyperthyroid state.