Modulation of class-II antigen expression in human thyroid epithelial cell cultures.

The modulation of HLA-D expression of thyroid epithelial cells (TEC) was studied in vitro by means of immunofluorescence. Under serum-free culture conditions, TSH and TSH-receptor antibodies induce HLA-D on TECs derived from GD-patients. Serum-free culture conditions provide a higher availability of TSH-receptors by a 'right side right' polarity of the cellular morphology. There was no evidence for IFN-gamma producing cell contaminations on GD-TECs. TSH in contrast to IFN-gamma does not induce HLA-DQ on TECs. HLA-DQ is not displayed by spontaneously class-II antigen expressing GD-TECs. Methimazole as well as perchlorate do not suppress HLA-D expression of TECs.