To investigate the change of IL-10 producing regulatory B cells (Bregs), which function to suppress peripheral immune responses, in patients with thyroid associated ophthalmopathy (TAO).
Patients with active GO compared to those with inactive GO had higher mRNA levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) (445/153-877 vs. 0/0-455, P = 0.001), IL-6 (1583/968-18825 vs. 559/0-7181, P = 0.01), IL-8 (1422/38-7579 vs. 32/0-1081, P = 0.046) and IL-10 (145/58-318 vs. 27/0-189, P = 0.002).
The increased expression of the macrophage-derived cytokines IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and IL-10 suggests the presence of macrophage activation and ongoing antigen presentation within the orbit in GO.