Fig. 2

Interplay of etiological factors associated with Graves’ disease at the molecular level. Green arrows, stimulatory effects; red arrows, inhibitory effects; purple, thyrocytes; yellow, membrane receptors; blue, T cells; light brown, B cells; dark brown, miscellaneous. Ab antibodies, APC antigen presenting cell, ATD anti-thyroid drug, BAFF B-lymphocyte activating factor, CD cluster of differentiation, CTLA cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein, CXCL C-X-C motif chemokine, FasL type-II transmembrane protein of TNF family, fT4 free thyroxine, HLA human leukocyte antigen, ICAM-1 and B7 adhesion molecules, IL interleukin, IFN interferon, NF-κB nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, OPN osteopontin, TNF tumor necrosis factor, TRAb thyrotropin related antibodies, TSH-R thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor