The Role of TSH Receptor, PPAR-r, IGF-1R, IGF and Cytokines in Different Stages of Graves'Ophthalmopathy

NCT00174057 · Status: UNKNOWN · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 50

Last updated 2005-09-15

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The exact mechanism of the pathogenesis of Graves' ophthalmopathy is still unknown. Histopathologically, extraocular muscle inflammation and orbital fat inflammation are two prominent changes. In the past year, we had investigated the morphological features of the Müller muscle in patients with thyroid lid retraction using the special stain and immunohistochemistry. In our findings, the smooth muscle cells, in the diseased group, were replaced by variable adipose and fibrosis tissues.

In recent years, TSHR, has been verified to express in orbital connective tissue and extra-ocular muscle. From functional studies and an increase in adipogenesis in cultured fibroblasts with expression of TSHR protein, the role not only the target but effector cells in orbital fibroblasts were validated. Quantitative RT-PCR may help to differentiate whether a less extent of expression at the end stage or low protein amount to be detected.

In recent years, the diverse phenotypes of orbital fibroblasts, with regard to expression of Thy-1 protein or not, had been reported from several studies, the investigators believed heterogeneity in orbital fibroblast may determine the clinical presentation of Graves'ophthalmopathy. We also are curious to know if the phenotypic heterogeneity of the fibroblasts in the ocular adnexal and orbital tissues correlates to distinct morphological features of adipogenesis and fibrosis.

Moreover, increased CD40 expression in skin fibroblasts were noted from patients with systemic sclerosis. Expression of IGF-I and IGF-IR seemed to be up-regulated in processes of several fibrotic diseases. A nuclear transcription factor, PPAR-γ, has been verified to have a close relationship with adipogenesis. We hypothesize that some immunological processes involve the ocular adnexal and orbital tissues, which result in various ophthalmological manifestations.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the different stage of the ocular adnexal and orbital tissues to identify the pathogenesis of Graves' ophthalmopathy by frozen sections with Immunohistochemistry, mRNA expression of TSH receptor, PPAR-γ, IGF-1R, and IGF-1 and different cytokines using quantitative RT-PCR and flow cytometry at the acute and stable stage in GO.

Conditions

  • Graves' Ophthalmopathy

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • National Taiwan University Hospital

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Shu Lang Liao, MD · National Taiwan University Hospital

Eligibility

Min Age
20 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2005-08-31
Completion
2006-07-31

Countries

  • Taiwan

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT00174057 on ClinicalTrials.gov