β1-adrenergic and Muscarinic Acetylcholine Type 2 Receptor Antibodies are Increased in Graves’ Hyperthyroidism and Decrease During Antithyroid Therapy

Abstract

Objective To determine the association between autoantibodies to G-protein-coupled receptors with effect on the cardiovascular system and the cardiac biomarker N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide reflecting heart function in Gravesʼ disease. Design and Methods Sixty premenopausal women with Graves’ disease were analyzed for IgG autoantibodies against β₁-adrenergic, muscarinic acetylcholine type 2 and angiotensin II type 1 receptors using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays based on cell membranes overexpressing receptors in their native conformations. N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and heart symptoms were analyzed in hyperthyroidism and after 7.5 months of antithyroid treatment. Matched thyroid healthy controls were also assessed. Results Serum levels of antibodies against the β₁-adrenergic and the muscarinic acetylcholine type 2 receptors were higher in hyperthyroid patients than in controls (median β₁-adrenergic receptor antibodies 1.9 [IQR 1.3–2.7] vs. 1.1 [0.8–1.7] μg/mL, P1-adrenergic and the muscarinic acetylcholine type 2 receptors were increased in Graves’ patients, decreased with treatment, but did not correlate with cardiac function. However, an autoimmune effect on the heart cannot be excluded in subpopulations, as the functional properties of the analyzed antibodies remain to be determined. Received: 28 September 2020 Received: 02 December 2020 Accepted: 22 December 2020 Publication Date: 12 January 2021 (online) Georg Thieme Verlag KG Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany