Th2-biased immune response in cervical lymph nodes: animal models of Graves' disease might administer autoantigen to body regions where lymphatics drain to cervical lymph nodes.

Abstract

It is believed that cervical lymph nodes have an important impact on Th2-biased immune response to central nervous system (CNS)-derived antigens. Obstruction of these nodes prior to a CNS-infusion of antigen markedly lowers the level of serum antibody response to the antigen. Graves' disease is a Th2-biased autoimmunity in which autoantibodies against thyrotropin receptor stimulate thyroid hormone production. The reasons for the distinct Th2-biased immune response in this hyperthyroidism are not fully understood, whereas most of the other human organ-specific autoimmune diseases are believed to be Th1 mediated. It is suggested that the drainage of the thyroid lymphatics to cervical lymph nodes may play a role in the Th2-polarized immune response of Graves' disease. Thus, the generation of Graves' disease models by immunization may become more feasible if animals are administered the autoantigen to body regions whose lymph is drained to cervical lymph nodes.