A specific plaque-forming cell assay for human thyroglobulin antibody-secreting immunocytes.

As the initial step in the investigation of thyroid autoantibody-secreting immunocytes, we have identified such cells in vitro by the use of plaque-forming cell assays dependent on the lysis of antigen-coated sheep red blood cells. Human thyroglobulin antibody-secreting peripheral mononuclear cells were detected in six of seven patients with autoimmune thyroiditis, but not in normal control subjects. Our data indicated that 0.06-1.7% of immunoglobulin-secreting cells have the potential for human thyroglobulin antibody secretion in such patients and validated the specific plaque-forming cell technique for the investigation of thyroid autoantibody production.