Current knowledge relevant to the understanding of thyroid autoimmunity is summarized in this book. Some of the world's leading scientists in this field review recent data from four subject areas: immunogenetics, thyroid peroxidase as an antigen, environmental factors, and cytokines. Much ongoing and as yet unpublished work is described, especially in the discussion included after each article. This information is of particular interest since the body of knowledge in these fields is growing very rapidly. The book is based on a workshop in which researchers from 13 countries took part. One major aim was to raise controversial points and to develop ideas for their potential solution. At the workshop it became apparent that a great deal of the information given in textbooks is outdated. This is an important update for researchers who are interested in the above topics and in understanding the etiology and pathogenesis of thyroid autoimmunity.

Immunogenetics

New Insights into Autoimmune Mechanisms and the Pathogenesis of Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
Thyroid Antibodies and Thyroid Dysfunction in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes and Their First-Degree Relatives
Association of HLA Class I and Class II Genes and Adrenal Steroid 21-Hydroxylase Gene with Subacute (de Quervain's) and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Evidence for an Altered Negative Feedback in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
Strongest Relative Risk for Goitrous Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Conferred by HLA-DQB1 Gene Variation
A Search for Linkage Between Phenylthiocarbamide Tasting, the Kell Blood Group Locus and Autoantibodies to Thyroglobulin and Thyroid Peroxidase
Autoimmune Thyroiditis: Its Implications with Other Organ Systems
The Genetic Control of Thyroid Cell MHC Class II Antigen Expression
Thyroid Peroxidase. Approaches Towards its Characterization
Clinical Applications of Thyroid Peroxidase Autoantibody Determination
Comparison Between Microsomal Antibodies by Immunofluorescence and Anti-TPO Antibodies in Healthy Individuals and Thyroid Autoimmune Disease
Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Studies on Anti-Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies in Thyroid Disorders Compared to Conventional Anti-Microsomal Antibodies
Comparison of New and Conventional Assay Techniques for Measuring Thyroid Microsomal Antibodies
Further Clarification of the Significance of Thyroid Peroxidase Activity-Inhibiting Immunoglobulins in Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
Biochemical Dissection of the Reactivity of TPO Antibodies
T Cell Epitopes and Thyroid Peroxidase
Thyroid Microsome/Thyroid Peroxidase Autoantigenic Epitopes Recognized by Autoantibodies Map to the Amino Terminal, the Central Core and the Carboxyl Terminal of the Molecule
Comparison ofCirculating Thyroid Microsomal, Cytotoxic and Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies
Are TPO Antibodies and Cytotoxic Thyroid Antibodies Identical?
Studies with Recombinant Autoepitopes of Thyroid Peroxidase
Environmental Effects on the Development of Autoimmune Thyroiditis
Mechanisms by Which Iodine Induces Autoimmunity
Goiter and Autoimmune Thyroiditis in Iodine-Sufficient Areas
Prevalence of Postpartum Thyroiditis in two Iodine-Deficient Regions of Germany
An Immunosuppressive Factor Sharing Homology with P15E Protein of Leukomogenic Retroviruses is Present in the Serum of Patients with Graves' Disease
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Enteropathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica
Yersinia enterocolitica and Thyroid Disease
In Vitro and In Vivo Effects of Cytokines
Regulation of ICAM-1 Expression on Human Thyroid Follicular Cells
Interleukin 6: A Pathogenic Factor in Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases?
Endotoxins Do not Mimick the Effect of Interleukin-1 in Secondary Cultures of Human Thyroid Cells
Blocking the Induction of HLA Class II Expression by Thyroid Epithelial Cells In Vitro
Analysis of Intrathyroidal Cytokine Production in Thyroid Disease
Lymphokine-Mediated Induction of HLA-DR Antigen Expression on Thyroid Follicular Cells In Vitro by Autologous Mononuclear Leukocytes and by Cytomegalovirus Infection
Thyroid Dysfunction After High-Dose Interleukin-2 Therapy: An Update
Human Recombinant Interleukin-ß Decreases Plasma Thyroid Hormone and TSH Levels in the Rat
Thyroid Autoimmunity Induced by Interferon Therapy
Effects of Interferon- ? and Interleukin-2 on Xenotransplanted Human Thyroid Tissue
Closing Remarks.