CD20 Expression In Thyroids Of Graves' Disease And Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Background Graves disease(GD) and hashimoto thyroiditis(HT) both belong to autoimmune thyroid disease,mediated by autoactive lymphocytes and producing thyroid autoantibodys. RTX is a monoclonal antibody directed against CD20,a B cell-specific surface marker, which is expressed by pre-B cells and B cells,but not by stem cells or most plasma cells. RTX has proved safe and effective in the treatment of several haematological diseases,primarily non-Hodgkin's lymphomas,also proved efficient in the treatment of both HT and GD.therefore,The effect of B lymphocytes depletion on GD and HT may be beneficial.Object To explore CD20 expression in thyroids of Graves disease and hashimoto thyroiditis. Methods 50 slices were divided into three groups;control group(8 slices); Graves disease group(22 slices);hashimoto's thyroiditis group(10 slices).The protein level expression of CD20 was measured by immunohistochemistry methods.Results CD20 expression in thyroids of Graves disease group and hashimoto thyroiditis group can incease than that of control group does. CD20 expression in thyroids of Graves disease and hashimoto thyroiditis show no significance variance.Conclusion Giving B lymphocytes may play a role in pathogenisis of Graves disease and hashimoto thyroiditis.