Production of Augmented Experimental Autoimmune Thyroiditis Lesions by Combined Transfer of Antiserum and Lymph Node Cells

Abstract

Combined transfer of thyroid-sensitized lymph node cells and hyperimmune rabbit antiserum to guinea pig thyroglobulin in inbred strain 13 guinea pigs resulted in a higher incidence and greater severity of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis than that which followed transfer of cells or serum alone. The lesions produced by combined transfer of cells and antiserum were comparable to lesions induced by active immunization of strain 13 animals. These data provide evidence for the participation of both cellular and humoral factors in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroiditis.