Thyroxine-binding antibodies inhibit T cell recognition of a pathogenic thyroglobulin epitope

Thyroid hormone-binding (THB) Abs are frequently detected in autoimmune thyroid disorders but it is unknown whether they can exert immunoregulatory effects. We report that a THB mAb recognizing the 5′ iodine atom of the outer phenolic ring of thyroxine (T4) can block T cell recognition of the pathogenic thyroglobulin (Tg) peptide (2549-2560) that contains T4 at aa position 2553 (T4(2553)). Following peptide binding to the MHC groove, the THB mAb inhibited activation of the A^k-restricted, T4(2553)-specific, mouse T cell hybridoma clone 3.47, which does not recognize other T4-containing epitopes or noniodinated peptide analogues. Addition of the same THB mAb to T4(2553)-pulsed splenocytes largely inhibited specific activation of T4(2553)-primed lymph node cells and significantly reduced their capacity to adoptively transfer thyroiditis to naive CBA/J mice. These data demonstrate that some THB Abs can block recognition of iodine-containing Tg epitopes by autoaggressive T cells and support the view that such Abs may influence the development or maintenance of thyroid disease.