Induction of in vitro autoimmune responses by mononuclear blood cells in Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

T cell proliferative responses were generated in vitro in lymphocytes from Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) patients using antigen presenting cells (APC) separated by fibronectin adherence and culture in serum free medium (SFM). HT cells were found to respond to the heterologous antigen, keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH), as well as to the homologous antigens thyroglobulin (Tg), myelin basic protein (MBP), myoglobin (Mb), and sarcolemma (Sl). Positive responses were dependent upon gamma-interferon, interleukin 1, and interleukin 2. The ratio of HT T helper/inducer cells to T suppressor/cytotoxic cells was elevated at the inception of culture, and further increased during the 9 day culture period. Our data show a generalized defect in self-tolerance by HT T cells which may have been revealed by preincubation of antigen with restricted numbers of APC and subsequent culture in SFM.