Genetic control of the production of anti-thyroid hormone antibodies in mice immunized with human thyroglobulin.

Various strains of mice with different H-2 and Igh-I allotypes were immunized with human thyroglobulin (HTg) and genetic control of the production of anti-thyroid hormone antibodies was examined. Anti-HTg antisera obtained from different strains of mice were examined for the presence of anti-thyroid hormone antibodies. At least one Ir-gene which controls the production of anti-T4 antibodies by immunization with HTg was identified in the I-A subregion. The presence of Ir-genes outside the H-2 was also suspected. Concerning the production of anti-T3 antibodies, only three strains (B10.A, C3H.SW, BALB/cJ) were high responders and therefore we were unable to identify the Ir-gene for them. These results indicate the presence of Ir-gene which controls the immune response in mice against thyroid hormone and suggest that the anti-thyroid hormone antibodies observed in various thyroidal and non-thyroidal disorders could be anti-HTg antibodies. The significance of genetic control of the production of anti-thyroid hormone antibodies in mice immunized with HTg is discussed.