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Thyroid associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) is an autoimmune disorder associated to Graves’disease. In chronic phase, it is characterised by fibrosis and novo adipogenesis, but the mechanism is not yet clear. In this work, we have observed an extended infiltration of mast cells in TAO extraocular muscles and they certainly play a key role in the development of fibrotic and adipose tissues.
Muscular cells themselves have been poorly analysed up to now and are generally considered as intact, although TAO, as all autoimmune disorders, certainly involves oxidative stress. Indeed, we have observed an increased number of cells whose nuclei were labelled with caspase-6, a marker of cell apoptosis. Concomitantly, in TAO cases, the cytoplasmic expression of peroxiredoxines (PRDX5, PRDX3), known as antioxidant proteins was increased. As shown by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, adiponectin level was also increased in TAO, adiponectin being located in the cytoplasm of the muscular cells and of endothelial cells. PPARγ known to stimulate adiponectin expression is also detected at high level in the nuclei of muscular cells in cases of TAO. The upregulation of adiponectin and PPARγ could be linked to the antioxidant properties of both proteins.
In conclusion, extraocular muscular cells do possess a protective system against oxidative stress in autoimmune TAO

Antioxidants --- Oxidative Stress --- Adiponectin --- PPAR gamma --- Graves Ophthalmopathy --- Muscle Cells --- Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle --- Mice, Obese