Rarity of Anti-Na+/I−Symporter (NIS) Antibody with Iodide Uptake Inhibiting Activity in Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases (AITD)

The search for antibody against the Na+/I- symporter (NIS) has seen conflicting results over the years. Prior to cloning of NIS, Raspe et al found iodide uptake inhibiting sera were rare in autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) while post-cloning, others reported the presence of antibody in 12-15% of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and 30-84% of Graves' disease (GD). To evaluate the role of NIS as a potential antigen in AITD, a stable COS 7 cell line expressing high level of functional hNIS was established which allowed the screening of large number of sera for iodide uptake inhibiting activity in a 96-well plate format. Five hundred and fourteen serum samples taken from normal subjects and patients with AITD, non-autoimmune thyroid diseases, and non-thyroid autoimmune diseases were assayed for presence of iodide uptake inhibiting activity. Under the influence of these sera, iodide uptake showed a normal frequency distribution and diminution of uptake 2 SDs below the mean of controls was observed with 14 sera. Among these, 7 that were available for further study were re-evaluated after dialysis and/or Ig G extraction. All 7 sera lost their iodide uptake inhibiting activity, indicating that the effects were not antibody mediated and unknown serum factors had been responsible. In conclusion, contrary to previous results, the present study indicates that antibodies capable of modulating NIS activity are rare in AITD.