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Maturation of dendritic cells by necrotic thyrocytes facilitates induction of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis

Dendritic cell (DC) maturation is required for efficient presentation of autoantigens leading to autoimmunity. In this report, we have examined whether release of tissue antigens from necrotic thyroid epithelial cells can trigger DC maturation and initiation of a primary antiself response. DC were cocultured with either viable (VT/DC) or necrotic (NT/DC) thyrocytes, and their phenotypic and functional maturation as well as immunopathogenic potential were assessed. Significant up‐regulation of surface MHC class II and costimulatory molecule expression was observed in NT/DC but not in VT/DC. This was correlated with a functional maturation of NT/DC, determined by IL‐12 secretion. Challenge of CBA/J mice with NT/DC, but not with VT/DC, elicited thyroglobulin (Tg)‐specific IgG as well as Tg‐specific CD4+ T‐cell responses and led to development of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis. These results support the view that thyroid epithelial cell necrosis may cause autoimmune thyroiditis via maturation of intrathyroidal DC.