The Role of TSH Receptor, PPAR-r, IGF-1R, IGF and Cytokines in Different Stages of Graves'Ophthalmopathy

September 13, 2005 updated by: National Taiwan University Hospital

The exact mechanism of the pathogenesis of Graves' ophthalmopathy is still unknown. Histopathologically, extraocular muscle inflammation and orbital fat inflammation are two prominent changes. In the past year, we had investigated the morphological features of the Müller muscle in patients with thyroid lid retraction using the special stain and immunohistochemistry. In our findings, the smooth muscle cells, in the diseased group, were replaced by variable adipose and fibrosis tissues.

In recent years, TSHR, has been verified to express in orbital connective tissue and extra-ocular muscle. From functional studies and an increase in adipogenesis in cultured fibroblasts with expression of TSHR protein, the role not only the target but effector cells in orbital fibroblasts were validated. Quantitative RT-PCR may help to differentiate whether a less extent of expression at the end stage or low protein amount to be detected.

In recent years, the diverse phenotypes of orbital fibroblasts, with regard to expression of Thy-1 protein or not, had been reported from several studies, the investigators believed heterogeneity in orbital fibroblast may determine the clinical presentation of Graves'ophthalmopathy. We also are curious to know if the phenotypic heterogeneity of the fibroblasts in the ocular adnexal and orbital tissues correlates to distinct morphological features of adipogenesis and fibrosis.

Moreover, increased CD40 expression in skin fibroblasts were noted from patients with systemic sclerosis. Expression of IGF-I and IGF-IR seemed to be up-regulated in processes of several fibrotic diseases. A nuclear transcription factor, PPAR-γ, has been verified to have a close relationship with adipogenesis. We hypothesize that some immunological processes involve the ocular adnexal and orbital tissues, which result in various ophthalmological manifestations.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the different stage of the ocular adnexal and orbital tissues to identify the pathogenesis of Graves' ophthalmopathy by frozen sections with Immunohistochemistry, mRNA expression of TSH receptor, PPAR-γ, IGF-1R, and IGF-1 and different cytokines using quantitative RT-PCR and flow cytometry at the acute and stable stage in GO.

Study Overview

Status

Unknown

Detailed Description

The exact mechanism of the pathogenesis of Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) is still unknown. Histopathologically, extraocular muscle inflammation due to lymphoid infiltration, edema and interstitial fibrosis, and increased glycosaminoglycan deposition and orbital fat inflammation are two prominent changes. There are various manifestations including ocular adnexal tissues inflammation, proptosis, lid retraction, extraocular movement limitation and compressive optic neuropathy. In the past year, we had investigated the morphological features of the Müller muscle in patients with thyroid lid retraction using the special stain and immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed paraffin-embbeded (FFPE) sections. In our findings, the smooth muscle cells, in the diseased group, were replaced by variable adipose and fibrosis tissues. Two distinct features in the disease group seem to be notable for further investigation.

In recent years, TSHR, a putative autoantigen, has been verified to express in orbital connective tissue and extra-ocular muscle. In addition, they were further demonstrated to express on the surface of cultured orbital fibroblasts and orbital adipose tissue, in patients with GO in several laboratories. From functional studies and an increase in adipogenesis in cultured fibroblasts with expression of TSHR protein, the role not only the target but effector cells in orbital fibroblasts were validated7. We used immunohistochemistry to verify the existence of TSHR on the fibroblasts within the Müller muscle, and the positive staining is manifested in only18 % of patients. It may due to a less extent of expression at the end stage. We are very curious to know if there any difference on the expression of TSHR between orbital specimens from patients with acute and those with stable stage. Quantitative RT-PCR may help to differentiate whether a less extent of expression at the end stage or low protein amount to be detected.

In recent years, the diverse phenotypes of orbital fibroblasts, with regard to expression of Thy-1 protein or not, had been reported from several studies, the investigators believed heterogeneity in orbital fibroblast may determine the clinical presentation of Graves' ophthalmopathy. We also are curious to know if the phenotypic heterogeneity of the fibroblasts in the ocular adnexal and orbital tissues correlates to distinct morphological features of adipogenesis and fibrosis. In addition, systemic or local pro-inflammatory cytokines may contribute to turn on and turn off the expression of different roles of the fibroblasts.

Moreover, increased CD40 expression in skin fibroblasts were noted from patients with systemic sclerosis. Expression of IGF-I and IGF-IR seemed to be up-regulated in processes of several fibrotic diseases. A nuclear transcription factor, PPAR-γ, has been verified to have a close relationship with adipogenesis. In our previous study, the smooth muscle cells, in the diseased Mullers' muscle, were replaced by variable adipose and fibrosis tissues. The increased adipose and fibrosis tissue ex vivo of the Müller' muscle may result from over-action of some biochemical markers in the fibroblasts infiltrating around muscle cells. We hypothesize that some immunological processes involve the ocular adnexal and orbital tissues, which result in various ophthalmological manifestations.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the different stage ( acute or stable stage) of the ocular adnexal and orbital tissues ( including orbital fat, extraocular muscles, orbicularis muscles and eyelid fat) to identify and validate the pathogenesis of Graves ophthalmopathy by frozen sections of the ocular adnexal and orbital tissues with Immunohistochemistry (IHA) (Thy-1 and PPARγ), mRNA expression of TSH receptor, PPAR-γ, IGF-1R, and IGF-1 and different cytokines (IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8) using quantitative RT-PCR and flow cytometry at the acute and stable stage in GO.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment

50

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

      • Taipei, Taiwan
        • Recruiting
        • Shu Lang Liao
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Luke L-K Lin, PhD

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

20 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:patients with Graves ophthalmopathy -

Exclusion Criteria:no

-

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Study Director: Shu Lang Liao, MD, National Taiwan University Hospital

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

August 1, 2005

Study Completion

July 1, 2006

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 13, 2005

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 13, 2005

First Posted (Estimate)

September 15, 2005

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

September 15, 2005

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 13, 2005

Last Verified

June 1, 2005

More Information

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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