Imbalances in T cell-related transcription factors among patients with hashimoto's thyroiditis

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Imbalances in effector T cell functioning have been associated with a number of autoimmune diseases, including Hashimoto's thyroiditis [HT]. Differentiation of effector T helper [Th] 1, Th2, Th17 and regulatory T cell [Treg] lymphocytes is regulated by transcription factors, including Th1-specific T box [T-bet], GATA binding protein-3 [GATA3], retinoid-related orphan receptor [ROR]-alpha and forkhead box P3 [FOXP3]. This study aimed to investigate Th1/Th2, Th1/Treg, Th2/Treg and Th17/Treg balances at the level of these transcription factors