New insights into the etiopathogenesis of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: the role of genetics and epigenetics

There is growing research interest for the role of genetic and epigenetic factors in the etiopathogenesis of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (HT). HT is an organ-specific autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) accounting for most cases of clinical hypothyroidism and in which both cellular and humoral immunity have a role in the pathogenesis. HT is characterized by diffuse goiter supported by thyroid-specific autoantibodies and lymphoid infiltration of the thyroid gland including T and B cells [1]. Although rare before the 1950s, HT prevalence has consistently increased over the last years; it exhibits a strong female preponderance and highest incidence in white individuals and becomes more common with advancing age [2]. HT can increase the risk of thyroid cancer; the association between HT and papillary thyroid carcinoma has recently been re-evaluated and proposed on the basis of fine-needle aspiration cytology