Blocking Auto-Antobodies

The antibodies act as agonists in some common autoimmune diseases, where these antibodies bind to the receptors of the hormones into which the normal ligand has to fit. This results in the stimulation of an inappropriate activity. This in turn leads to an increase in the growth of the cells or an over protection of the mediators. This is reverse in the case of other types of autoimmune diseases where the autoantibodies will bind to the receptors of the hormones acting as an antagonist, thus blocking the functioning of the receptors. This results in the gradual atropy of the organ that is affected due to impaired secretion of the mediators. The best example of this type is grave’s disease. Normally, the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) secreted by the pituitary gland which binds to the receptors present on the thyroid cells to activate the adenylate cyclase enzyme which is responsible for the production of two hormones namely triiodothyroxine and thyroxine. But in the case of this disease condition, the autoantibodies produced by the patient bind to the receptor preventing TSH from binding. This mimics the normal action of the TSH, thus activating the adenylate cyclase resulting in the production of the hormones excessively due to over stimulation. So these antibodies are known as long lasting thyroid-stimulating (LATS) antibodies.