Immunohistochemical Investigation of Angiogenesis Activity in Thyroid Gland under Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis versus Diffuse Toxic Goiter

Aim of Study: To reveal the difference in structural-functional activity between Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) and diffuse toxic goiter (DTG) based on microvessel density and the immunoexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), CD34, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in thyreocytes and endothelial cells. Materials and Methods: The authors studied, pathologically and immunohistochemically, the expression of TSH, CD34 and VEGF in postsurgical thyroid specimens in 20 cases per each group (HT, DTG, and nodular goiter) as well as in normal tissues, all obtained from the National Institute of Endocrinology (Tbilisi). Guidelines of the Japanese Thyroid Society were used for the clinico-morphological classification of HT. The microvessel density was assessed in VEGF-positive areas using digital image analysis. Results and Conclusions: No significant difference was obtained for the expression of the VEGF and CD34 between the studied groups. In contrast, the present study confirmed the significant difference in TSH expression among the lesions regardless of their biological behavior; and the results showed that only microvessel density and vascular surface area could truly differentiate the thyroid pathologies (HT and DTG) that are manifested by severe lymphoplasmocytic infiltration.