Endocrine Abstracts

Graves’ hyperthyroidism is caused by autoantibodies to the thyrotrophin receptor (TSHR) that mimic thyroid stimulation by TSH. The disease develops spontaneously in humans but not in animals and conventional immunization with purified TSHR protein and adjuvant fails to generate Graves’-like antibodies that stimulate the thyroid. However, antibody-mediated hyperthyroidism can be induced in mice or hamsters by novel approaches involving multiple injections of cells exp...