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Synchronized expressions of serum osteopontin and B cell–activating factor in autoimmune thyroid disease
Author(s) -
Cheng ChaoWen,
Tang KamTsun,
Fang WenFang,
Lin JiunnDiann
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
european journal of clinical investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.164
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1365-2362
pISSN - 0014-2972
DOI - 10.1111/eci.13122
Subject(s) - osteopontin , medicine , endocrinology , thyroiditis , thyroid function , thyroid , population , b cell activating factor , graves' disease , thyroid peroxidase , immunology , antibody , b cell , environmental health
Abstract Background Osteopontin (OPN) is recognized as a potent immunoregulator of autoimmune disease. In the study, we tried to explore the association of serum OPN levels with autoimmune thyroid disease, including Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), in an ethnic Chinese population. Materials and methods We enrolled 131 patients with GD, 33 patients with HT and 123 healthy controls. Serum OPN, B cell–activating factor (BAFF) and interferon (IFN)‐α levels were quantified. Graves' disease patients with high thyroid function at the time of sample collection were defined as having active GD, while the other patients were defined as having inactive GD. Results Serum OPN levels were higher in active GD than in inactive GD and the control groups ( P = 0.001 and P = 0.018, respectively). In GD, significant associations of OPN levels with thyroid‐stimulating hormone receptor antibody (TSHRAb) levels were observed in women ( r = −0.344, P = 0.002, and r = 0.440, P = 0.004, respectively) but not in men. Osteopontin levels were associated with BAFF levels only in women with GD or HT ( r = 0.506, P < 0.001 and r = 0.430, P = 0.025, respectively), but not in men with GD or HT. Conclusions Serum OPN levels were upregulated in active GD, and serum OPN levels were associated with thyroid function and TSHRAb levels in GD. Additionally, OPN levels were correlated with BAFF levels in GD and HT. The associations of OPN levels with clinical phenotypes of GD and BAFF levels showed a dimorphic pattern.