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Horm Metab Res 2013; 45(08): 549-555
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1343451
Review
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Current Insights into Animal Models of Graves’ Disease and Orbitopathy

B. Wiesweg
1   Center for Ophthalmology, Laboratory for Molecular Ophthalmology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
,
K.T. M. Johnson
1   Center for Ophthalmology, Laboratory for Molecular Ophthalmology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
,
A. K. Eckstein
1   Center for Ophthalmology, Laboratory for Molecular Ophthalmology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
,
U. Berchner-Pfannschmidt
1   Center for Ophthalmology, Laboratory for Molecular Ophthalmology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 28 December 2012

accepted 27 March 2013

Publication Date:
23 April 2013 (online)

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Abstract

Graves’ disease (GD) is a systemic autoimmune disease that is characterized by hyperthyroidism, orbitopathy and in rare cases dermopathy. Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) is an inflammatory disease of eye and orbit which occurs in about 30–60% of patients. Hyperthyroidism occurs due to the presence of stimulating TSHR-autoantibodies (TRAbs) leading to increased serum levels of thyroid hormones. Attempts to induce Graves’ disease in mice by immunization against the hTSHR or its variants have resulted in production of TRAbs that stimulate thyroid follicular cells to increase thyroid hormone secretion. Graves’ like orbital changes, such as inflammation, adipogenesis and muscle fibrosis are more difficult to induce. In this review we summarize different methods used to induce murine Graves’-like disease and their impact on murine orbits.

Key words

murine models - autoimmunity - TSHR-antibodies - genetic immunization - mouse orbit
 

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