Twin studies as a model for exploring the aetiology of autoimmune thyroid disease

摘要: Twins are an important resource for evaluating the relative contribution of genetic and environmental factors in determining a phenotype. During last decades, number twin studies have investigated aetiology several phenotypes related to thyroid autoimmunity. Taken together, these provided valid unbiased information regarding influence autoimmune disease (AITD). The comparison concordance rates between monozygotic (MZ) dizygotic twins provides irrefutable evidence component, biometric modelling shows that approximately 75% total phenotypic variance AITD is because effects. On other hand, lack complete MZ pairs proof and/or epigenetic also playing role. impact triggers such as cigarette smoking, birth characteristics, infection with Yersinia enterocolitica, microchimerism degree X chromosome inactivation (XCI) has been evaluated by investigating discordant pairs. These indicate Y. enterocolitica skewed XCI may be causally associated clinically overt AITD, but not presence autoantibodies euthyroid subjects. Microchimerism, weight, might play role AITD. Twin offer features uniquely enhance our ability localize genes understand their function. Future should incorporate on genetic, variation thereby enhancing quantify precise effect specific risk factors.