Antibody-Induced Alterations of Thyroid Hormone Receptor during Experimental Thyroglobulin Immunization in Rabbits

Abstract

Maximum binding capacity and dissociation constant of the triiodothyronine receptor were studied in isolated hepatic nuclei of thyroglobulin-immunized rabbits on the 98th day after the first injection. Study revealed a significant (p<0.001) increase in maximum binding capacity and in dissociation constant and significantly lower (p<0.001) levels of serum triiodothyronine and thyroxine. These results reflect an alteration in thyroid hormone binding capacity during experimental thyroglobulin immunization.