Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the STAT3 gene influence AITD susceptibility, thyroid autoantibody levels, and IL6 and IL17 secretion.

STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) is an important cellular effector in the Jak/STAT signaling pathway, which plays a pivotal role in human immune system regulation, mediating the effect of different cytokines. In the present study, we assessed the correlation between STAT3 polymorphisms (rs3816769 C>T and rs744166 A>G) and risk of the autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and Graves' disease (GD) in the Polish population. Moreover, we evaluated the association of polymorphisms with the thyroid autoantibody levels (TPOAb, TgAb, TRAb) and the correlation between circulating proinflammatory IL6 and IL17 cytokines and thyroid autoantibody levels.