IMMUNE-COMPLEX DEPOSITS IN GRAVES-DISEASE AND HASHIMOTOS THYROIDITIS

The thyroid glands of 4 patients with Graves'' disease and 5 patients with Hashimoto''s thyroiditis were investigated to demonstrate in vivo immune complex deposition. By EM, electron-dense deposits were observed in the follicular basal lamina-basement membrane-(FBL) often associated with lymphocytic and plasma cell infiltration. A positive correlation was obtained with all cases by immunofluorescent studies using anti-Ig[immunoglobulin]G, IgA, IgM, C3 and antithyroglobulin conjugated serums. The staining was of a granular pattern and coincided to the FBL region. No discrepancies were noted in EM and immunofluorescent observations between patients with Graves'' disease and Hashimoto''s thyroiditis, and the occasional observation of immune complexes in areas devoid of infiltrate in some patients with Graves'' disease. Morphologically, the deposits were similar to those described in the obese strain chickens with spontaneous autoimmune thyroiditis.