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  Thyroid Science 6(2):1-7, 2011

Clinical Utility of Soluble Fas and
Fas Ligand in Thyroid Pathogenesis


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Dhara R. Gajjar,1 Girish H. Patel,1 Toral P. Kobawala,1
Kamini N. Patel,1 Urvi B. Parekh,2 Deepal K. Parekh,2
Kirti M. Patel,3 Shilin N. Shukla,4 Pankaj M. Shah5

1Division of Molecular Endocrinology;
2Hon. Visiting Physician & Clinical Endocrinologist;
3Hon. Deputy Director (Medical), 4Professor; Medical Oncology;
5Hon. Director. The Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute,
NCH Compound, Asarwa, Ahmedabad-380 016, Gujarat, India.

Correspondence: Dr. Girish H. Patel,
Clinical Research Associate: Division of Molecular Endocrinology-I,
& Incharge: Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory,
The Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute,
NCH Compound, Asarwa, Ahmedabad-380 016, India
dharargajjar@gmail.com ghpatel_961@yahoo.co.in

 

Abstract. Background: The soluble form of Fas (sFas) lacks the transmembrane domain due to alternative splicing. sFas blocks Fas-mediated apoptosis by binding to Fas ligand (FasL). This study was designed to examine whether the apoptotic-inhibitor sFas and the apoptotic inducer FasL are differentially present in two opposite phenotypes of autoimmune thyroid disorders (AITD), nodular goiter (NG), and thyroid cancer. Methods: sFas and FasL levels were determined using ELISA in the serum sample of a total 68 patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) (n = 15), Graves’ disease (GD) (n = 17), nodular goiter (n = 21), and thyroid carcinoma (n = 15). These patients’ levels and were compared with 20 age matched, disease-free controls. In addition, for comparison, the levels of thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase antibodies were measured. Results: All studied groups had raised sFas levels. Levels in AITD patients were statistically significantly higher than in controls. FasL levels were significantly higher in all studied groups except the thyroid cancer group, as compared with controls. Compared to controls, GD patients had higher sFas level, and the HT group had a higher FasL level. Also, compared to controls and the NG group, thyroid cancer patients had higher sFas and lower FasL levels. Conclusion: Fas-mediated apoptosis plays an important role in the active stage of the autoimmune process of both GD and HT. Increased sFas in GD and FasL in HT may contribute to homeostasis in the thyroid gland. In thyroid cancer and NG, however, sFas and FasL may provide a key protective signal that helps the cells to avoid apoptosis in a hostile environment.

Keywords 
Autoimmune thyroid disease • Fas ligand • Graves’ disease • Hashimoto’s thyroiditis • Nodular goiter • Soluble Fas • Thyroid cancer


Citation: Gajjar, D.R. Patel, G.H., Kobawala, T.P., Patel, K.N., Parekh, U.B., Parekh, D.K., Patel, K.M., Shukla, S.N., and Shah, P.M.: Clinical Utility of Soluble Fas and Fas Ligand in Thyroid Pathogenesis. Thyroid Science, 6(2):1-7, 2011.

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© 2011 Thyroid Science