Demonstration of interleukin-1 beta on perifollicular endothelial cells in the thyroid glands of patients with Graves' disease.

We examined the presence of interleukin-1 (IL-1) in the thyroid glands of 20 patients with Graves' disease and 10 control subjects, using anti-IL-1 monoclonal antibodies in conjunction with immunohistochemical techniques. In 13 (65%) Graves' disease patients, IL-1 beta, but not IL-1 alpha, was demonstrated on the capillary endothelial cells (EC) around follicles (perifollicular EC). However, the EC of arteries and veins were negative for both IL-1 beta and IL-1 alpha. In the control group, none of the thyroid glands showed positive staining for IL-1 beta or IL-1 alpha. There was a significant correlation (P less than 0.025) between the presence of IL-1 beta on perifollicular EC and the presence of serum antimicrosomal antibodies. These results provide an important insight into the involvement of IL-1 beta in the development of Graves' disease.