Naturally-existing CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells are required for tolerance to experimental autoimmune thyroiditis induced by either exogenous or endogenous autoantigen.
Thus far, although some susceptibility loci have been elaborated, including PTPN22, FOXP3, and CD25, the aetiology and pathogenesis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis remains unclear.
CD8+ CD25+-activated cytotoxic T cells and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) are independently involved in the severity of Hashimoto's disease (HD).
The differences in the number of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T lymphocytes and the mRNA levels of Foxp3 between the AIT/HF and AITgroups were not significant (P > 0.05).