Abstract
We attempted to determine whether Mycoplasma (MYC), an agent with known immunologic sequelae, possessed TSH binding sites and to ascertain whether these TSH receptor antibodies might cross-react with determinants in MYC. 125 I-bTSH bound specifically to several MYC species with apparent dissociation constants of about 10−7 M and maximal binding capacities of about 10−8M. Unlabelled TSH, but not hGH, FSH, LH or prolactin caused 125 I-bTSH displacement. All 18 serum samples from Graves' disease patients contained antibodies directed against M. gallisepticum. 3 out of 6 serum samples contained antibodies directed against a 108 Kd determinant in M.gallisepticum. Serum from animals injected with MYC membranes, bound to thyroid membranes. Serum from one animal also bound specifically TSH by Elisa. This binding was displaced by TSH but not by HCG. Furthermore, serum from a rabbit injected by MYC had TBII (27%) post injection. Our data indicate that TSH binds specifically and with high affinity to MYC. Further studies are required to investigate the potential role of bacterial TSH binding proteins in the modulation of autoimmune thyroid disease.
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Sack, J., Zilberstein, D., Barile, M. et al. THYROTROPIN BINDING PROTEINS IN MYCOPLASMA. SERUM ANTIBODIES DIRECTED AGAINST A SPECIFIC MYCOPLASMA MEMBRANE DETERMINANT IN PATIENTS WITH AUTO-IMMUNE THYROID DISEASE. Pediatr Res 20, 1194 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198611000-00124
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198611000-00124