Characterization of thyroglobulin epitopes in Sardinian adults and juveniles with Hashimoto's thyroiditis: evidence against a major effect of age and genetic background on B-cell epitopes.

Background: Using recombinant human monoclonal thyroglobulin antibodies expressed as Fab molecules (TgAb-Fab), we have recently confirmed the restriction of Tg epitopes in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT).

Objective: To investigate Tg epitopes of serum TgAb in HT adults and HT juveniles from a geographically isolated area (Sardinia).

Design And Patients: Serum TgAb of 39 Sardinian HT adults, 53 Sardinian HT juveniles and 45 non-Sardinian HT adults were evaluated.

Puberty is associated with a marked increase of the female sex predominance in chronic autoimmune thyroiditis.

Background: Chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (CAT) displays a strong female predominance with female-to-male (F:M) ratios of 4-20:1 in adults and 2-9:1 in children and adolescents. Both genetic and hormonal factors are involved in this phenomenon. The relation between puberty and F:M ratio in CAT has never been evaluated.

Phosphodiesterase 8B gene variants are associated with serum TSH levels and thyroid function.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) controls thyroid growth and hormone secretion through binding to its G protein-coupled receptor (TSHR) and production of cyclic AMP (cAMP). Serum TSH is a sensitive indicator of thyroid function, and overt abnormalities in thyroid function lead to common endocrine disorders affecting approximately 10% of individuals over a life span. By genotyping 362,129 SNPs in 4,300 Sardinians, we identified a strong association (p = 1.