Research Article
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Roles of Inflammasome and Cytokines in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Thyroiditis

Year 2025, , 41 - 46, 28.03.2025
https://doi.org/10.26650/Tr-ENT.2025.1632649

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome, pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines, and their correlations in the pathogenesis of HT.

Material and Methods: The pro-inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10), and NLRP-3 levels were analysed with ELISA method from blood samples taken from healthy controls (Group-1) and patients diagnosed with HT (Group-2). The Student’s t-test was used to evaluate quantitative data that showed a normal distribution between the two groups, while the Mann-Whitney U test was used for data sets that did not follow a normal distribution. A significance level of p<0.05 was considered acceptable.

Results: In Group-2, a significant increase in NLRP-3 levels was observed compared to the Group-1 (p<0.05). A parallel tendency was discernible in TNF-α levels, which demonstrated a significant decline in the Group-2 cohort compared to Group-1 (p<0.01). However, IL-10 levels showed a significant decrease in the Group-2 compared to the Group-1 (p<0.001). Nevertheless, a statistically significant decrease in IL-10 levels was observed in the Group-2 compared to Group-1 (p<0.001).

Conclusion: It has been hypothesised that NLRP-3 may play a role in the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases, the loss of immune tolerance, and the formation of inappropriate autoreactive immune responses. This may be achieved by increasing the proinflammatory cytokine levels and decreasing the anti-inflammatory cytokine levels.

References

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  • Fu R, Guo C, Wang S, Huang Y, Jin O, Hu H, et aL. Podocyte Activation of NLRP3 Inflammasomes Contributes to the DeveLopment of Proteinuria in Lupus Nephritis. Arthritis RheumatoL 2017;69(8):1636-46. google scholar
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  • Wan X, Xu C, Yu C, Li Y. Role of NLRP3 Inflammasome in the Progression of NAFLD to NASH. Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2016;2016:6489012. google scholar
  • Wei L, Xiong H, Li W, Li B, Cheng Y. Upregulation of IL -6 Expression in Human Salivary Gland Cell Line by IL -17 via Activation of P38 MAPK, ERK, PI 3K/Akt, and NF -kB Pathways. J Oral Pathol Med 2018;47(9):847-55. google scholar
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Year 2025, , 41 - 46, 28.03.2025
https://doi.org/10.26650/Tr-ENT.2025.1632649

Abstract

References

  • Mikosch P, AistLeitner A, OehrLein MM, Trifina-Mikosch E. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and coexisting disorders in correLation with HLA status-an overview. Wien Med Wochenschr 2023;173:41-53. google scholar
  • Kawashima A, Yamazaki K, Hara T, Akama T, Yoshihara A, Sue M, et aL. Demonstration of innate immune responses in the thyroid gLand: potentiaL to sense danger and a possibLe trigger for autoimmune reactions. Thyroid 2013;23(4):477-87. google scholar
  • CaturegLi P, De Remigis A, Rose NR. Hashimoto thyroiditis: cLinicaL and diagnostic criteria. Autoimmun Rev 2014;13(4-5):391-7. google scholar
  • TripoLino O, MirabeLLi M, Misiti R, Torchia A, CaseLLa D, Dragone F, et aL. CircuLating Autoantibodies in AduLts with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: New Insights from a SingLe-Center, Cross-SectionaL Study. Diagnostics (BaseL) 2024;31;14(21):2450. google scholar
  • Li D, Cai W, Gu R, Zhang Y, Zhang H, Tang K, et aL. Th17 ceLL pLays a roLe in the pathogenesis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in patients. CLin ImmunoL 2013;149(3):411-20. google scholar
  • Guo Q, Wu Y, Hou Y, Liu Y, Liu T, Zhang H, et aL. Cytokine Secretion and Pyroptosis of Thyroid FoLLicuLar CeLLs Mediated by Enhanced NLRP3, NLRP1, NLRC4, and AIM2 Inflammasomes Are Associated With Autoimmune Thyroiditis. Front ImmunoL 2018;4;9:1197. google scholar
  • Zhang Y, Yang W, Li W, Zhao Y. NLRP3 Inflammasome: Checkpoint Connecting Innate and Adaptive Immunity in Autoimmune Diseases. Front ImmunoL 2021;11;12:732933. google scholar
  • Zhao X, Ni W, Zheng W, Ni W, Sun C, Gu Y, et aL. MuLti-reguLatory potency of USP1 on inflammasome components promotes pyroptosis in thyroid foLLicuLar ceLLs and contributes to the progression of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. MoL Med 2024;12;30(1):121. google scholar
  • BarcLay W, Shinohara ML. Inflammasome activation in muLtipLe scLerosis and experimentaL autoimmune encephaLomyeLitis (EAE). Brain Patho 2017;27(2):213-9. google scholar
  • Dombrowski Y, Peric M, KogLin S, Kammerbauer C, Göss C, Anz D, et aL. CytosoLic DNA triggers inflammasome activation in keratinocytes in psoriatic Lesions. Sci TransL Med 2011;3(82):82ra38. google scholar
  • KoppaLa SN, Guruprasad V. Overview of Autoimmunity: CLassification, Disease Mechanisms, and EtioLogy. TJI 2023;11(3):93-105. google scholar
  • Neamtu M, BiLd V, Vasincu A, Arcan OD, BuLea D, Ababei DC, et aL. Inflammasome MoLecuLar Insights in Autoimmune Diseases. Curr Issues MoL BioL 2024; 18;46(4):3502-32. google scholar
  • Ma B, Chen D, Liu Y, Zhao Z, Wang J, Zhou G, et aL. Yanghe Decoction Suppresses the ExperimentaL Autoimmune Thyroiditis in Rats by Improving NLRP3 Inflammasome and Immune DysreguLation. Frontiers PharmacoL 2021;12:645354. google scholar
  • Fu R, Guo C, Wang S, Huang Y, Jin O, Hu H, et aL. Podocyte Activation of NLRP3 Inflammasomes Contributes to the DeveLopment of Proteinuria in Lupus Nephritis. Arthritis RheumatoL 2017;69(8):1636-46. google scholar
  • ALkhateeb A, Jarun Y, Tashtoush R. PoLymorphisms in NLRP1 gene and susceptibiLity to autoimmune thyroid disease. Autoimmunity 2013;46(3):215-21. google scholar
  • Li C, Yuan J, Zhu YF, Yang XJ, Wang Q, Xu J, et aL. ImbaLance of Th17/Treg in Different Subtypes of Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases. CeLL PhysioL Biochem 2016;40(1-2):245-52. google scholar
  • Hou Y, Guo X, Zhang C, Wang T, Guo X, Sun W, et al. Protective effects of Jiayan Kangtai granules on autoimmune thyroiditis in a rat model by modulating Th17/ Treg cell balance. J Tradit Chin Med 2018;38(3):380-90. google scholar
  • Wan X, Xu C, Yu C, Li Y. Role of NLRP3 Inflammasome in the Progression of NAFLD to NASH. Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2016;2016:6489012. google scholar
  • Wei L, Xiong H, Li W, Li B, Cheng Y. Upregulation of IL -6 Expression in Human Salivary Gland Cell Line by IL -17 via Activation of P38 MAPK, ERK, PI 3K/Akt, and NF -kB Pathways. J Oral Pathol Med 2018;47(9):847-55. google scholar
  • Gonzâlez-Ramos S, Paz-Garcıa M, Fernândez-Garcıa V, Portune KJ, Acosta-Medina EF, Sanz Y, et al. NOD1 deficiency promotes an imbalance of thyroid hormones and microbiota homeostasis in mice fed high fat diet. Sci Rep 2020;10:12317. google scholar
There are 20 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Clinical Sciences (Other)
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Gülten Ateş Uluçay 0000-0001-8675-9031

İsmail Cem Sormaz 0000-0001-6907-978X

Publication Date March 28, 2025
Submission Date February 3, 2025
Acceptance Date March 27, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025

Cite

APA Ateş Uluçay, G., & Sormaz, İ. C. (2025). Roles of Inflammasome and Cytokines in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Thyroiditis. The Turkish Journal of Ear Nose and Throat, 35(1), 41-46. https://doi.org/10.26650/Tr-ENT.2025.1632649
AMA Ateş Uluçay G, Sormaz İC. Roles of Inflammasome and Cytokines in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Thyroiditis. Tr-ENT. March 2025;35(1):41-46. doi:10.26650/Tr-ENT.2025.1632649
Chicago Ateş Uluçay, Gülten, and İsmail Cem Sormaz. “Roles of Inflammasome and Cytokines in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Thyroiditis”. The Turkish Journal of Ear Nose and Throat 35, no. 1 (March 2025): 41-46. https://doi.org/10.26650/Tr-ENT.2025.1632649.
EndNote Ateş Uluçay G, Sormaz İC (March 1, 2025) Roles of Inflammasome and Cytokines in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Thyroiditis. The Turkish Journal of Ear Nose and Throat 35 1 41–46.
IEEE G. Ateş Uluçay and İ. C. Sormaz, “Roles of Inflammasome and Cytokines in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Thyroiditis”, Tr-ENT, vol. 35, no. 1, pp. 41–46, 2025, doi: 10.26650/Tr-ENT.2025.1632649.
ISNAD Ateş Uluçay, Gülten - Sormaz, İsmail Cem. “Roles of Inflammasome and Cytokines in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Thyroiditis”. The Turkish Journal of Ear Nose and Throat 35/1 (March 2025), 41-46. https://doi.org/10.26650/Tr-ENT.2025.1632649.
JAMA Ateş Uluçay G, Sormaz İC. Roles of Inflammasome and Cytokines in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Thyroiditis. Tr-ENT. 2025;35:41–46.
MLA Ateş Uluçay, Gülten and İsmail Cem Sormaz. “Roles of Inflammasome and Cytokines in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Thyroiditis”. The Turkish Journal of Ear Nose and Throat, vol. 35, no. 1, 2025, pp. 41-46, doi:10.26650/Tr-ENT.2025.1632649.
Vancouver Ateş Uluçay G, Sormaz İC. Roles of Inflammasome and Cytokines in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Thyroiditis. Tr-ENT. 2025;35(1):41-6.