Gene breakthrough in Grave's disease

Scientists examined genes linked to the thyroid

Scientists have discovered how the immune system attacks the thyroid glands in patients with Grave's disease.

The breakthrough, by UK researchers, has prompted hopes of new treatments for people with the condition.

The scientists said it could also improve understanding of other autoimmune diseases.

Maybe in the future it will be possible to get some control over these abnormally represented genes

Dr Shamael Waheed

These include insulin-dependent diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, which can also occur when the immune system wrongly attacks normal cells.

Dr Shamael Waheed and colleagues at Bart's and the Royal London Hospital used the latest in molecular technology to examine the genes of people with Grave's disease.

They compared their genes to those of healthy people without the condition.

They found that in patients with the disease some genes had been mistakenly switched on.

Switches

The genes involved were those responsible for programmed cell death.

Programmed cell death occurs naturally and, in this case, controls the size of the thyroid gland preventing it from becoming too big.

However, because too many of these cells are switched on they are at risk of being attacked by the immune system.

It is this process that causes Grave's disease.

Dr Waheed said the finding could one day help patients with the condition.

"This indicates that maybe in the future it will be possible to get some control over these abnormally represented genes, thus slowing down the development of the disease."

She also suggested that it could help scientists trying to find treatments for patients with other autoimmune diseases.

'Pathways'

"Understanding the mechanisms underlying the thyroid cell death will contribute to the understanding of other autoimmune disorders which develop through similar pathways."

Grave's disease usually affects women between the ages of 20 and 40.

It is usually treated by drugs or in severe cases with surgery.

Symptoms can include welling of the thyroid gland at the front of the neck.

It can also cause swelling around the eye, palpitations, weight loss and sweating.

The findings were presented at the Society for Endocrinology's annual meeting in London.