Thyroid-Specific Antigens in Basedow's Disease

Summary

All three major thyroid-specific auto-antigens, namely Tg, TPO and the TSH receptor, have now been cloned. Of greatest significance in the pathogenesis of Basedow's disease is the TSH receptor. It is anticipated that in the coming years this accomplishment by a number of laboratories will lead to major advances in our understanding of this disease. Opportunities are now available to study the molecular mechanisms underlying Basedow's disease, and we will emerge from a phase of descriptive investigation. It is quite possible that before the 200th anniversary of Basedow's description of this disease, specific immunotherapy will permit the treatment or prevention of Basedow's disease, without requiring ablation of the thyroid, or medicinal blockade of thyroid hormone synthesis while hoping that the disease will remit spontaneously.