The Interplay Between Immune Cells, Inflammation, and the Thyroid Gland

Zuqiang Huang

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijde.20251004.14

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The Interplay Between Immune Cells, Inflammation, and the Thyroid Gland

Zuqiang Huang^*

Published in International Journal of Diabetes and Endocrinology (Volume 10, Issue 4)

Received: 26 November 2025 Accepted: 4 December 2025 Published: 20 December 2025

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Abstract

Background; The thyroid is a crucial endocrine organ, and its dysfunction can cause various disorders. Autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease are the most prevalent. Current studies show that immune activity and inflammation are central to thyroid pathology. Yet, the detailed processes linking immune cells, inflammatory mediators, and thyroid tissue remain incompletely clarified. Thus, examining thyroid structure and function, analyzing immune-related injury pathways, and synthesizing recent progress are valuable for clarifying autoimmune pathology and advancing targeted therapies.. Methods; This work evaluates existing academic literature and research reports. It addresses thyroid anatomy and physiology, the involvement of immune cells in thyroid disorders, inflammatory mechanisms in thyroid damage, and the interplay between immune activity and thyroid function. By combining fundamental and clinical evidence, it explores the connection between immunity and thyroid pathology. Results; Findings indicate that immune cells and inflammation are pivotal in thyroid disease development, especially in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease. The review outlines immune-mediated damage to thyroid tissue, noting the roles of genetic susceptibility, environmental factors, and immune imbalance in initiating and worsening autoimmunity. Additionally, recent investigations have uncovered possible immune- and inflammation-related treatment targets, supporting personalized therapeutic approaches. Conclusions; In summary, immune mechanisms and inflammation are fundamental in thyroid disorders. Deeper insight into these processes aids therapy development. Analyzing interactions between immune responses and thyroid pathology helps refine clinical care and direct new treatment research. Moving forward, cooperation among clinicians, scientists, and health policymakers should be enhanced. Integrating established and emerging interventions can improve comprehensive thyroid disease management, benefiting patients and meeting unresolved healthcare demands.

Published in	International Journal of Diabetes and Endocrinology (Volume 10, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijde.20251004.14
Page(s)	107-115
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Thyroid Gland, Immune Cells, Inflammation, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, Graves' Disease, Pathogenesis

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Huang, Z. (2025). The Interplay Between Immune Cells, Inflammation, and the Thyroid Gland. International Journal of Diabetes and Endocrinology, 10(4), 107-115. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijde.20251004.14

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Huang, Z. The Interplay Between Immune Cells, Inflammation, and the Thyroid Gland. Int. J. Diabetes Endocrinol. 2025, 10(4), 107-115. doi: 10.11648/j.ijde.20251004.14

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Huang Z. The Interplay Between Immune Cells, Inflammation, and the Thyroid Gland. Int J Diabetes Endocrinol. 2025;10(4):107-115. doi: 10.11648/j.ijde.20251004.14

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@article{10.11648/j.ijde.20251004.14,
  author = {Zuqiang Huang},
  title = {The Interplay Between Immune Cells, Inflammation, and the Thyroid Gland},
  journal = {International Journal of Diabetes and Endocrinology},
  volume = {10},
  number = {4},
  pages = {107-115},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijde.20251004.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijde.20251004.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijde.20251004.14},
  abstract = {Background; The thyroid is a crucial endocrine organ, and its dysfunction can cause various disorders. Autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease are the most prevalent. Current studies show that immune activity and inflammation are central to thyroid pathology. Yet, the detailed processes linking immune cells, inflammatory mediators, and thyroid tissue remain incompletely clarified. Thus, examining thyroid structure and function, analyzing immune-related injury pathways, and synthesizing recent progress are valuable for clarifying autoimmune pathology and advancing targeted therapies.. Methods; This work evaluates existing academic literature and research reports. It addresses thyroid anatomy and physiology, the involvement of immune cells in thyroid disorders, inflammatory mechanisms in thyroid damage, and the interplay between immune activity and thyroid function. By combining fundamental and clinical evidence, it explores the connection between immunity and thyroid pathology. Results; Findings indicate that immune cells and inflammation are pivotal in thyroid disease development, especially in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease. The review outlines immune-mediated damage to thyroid tissue, noting the roles of genetic susceptibility, environmental factors, and immune imbalance in initiating and worsening autoimmunity. Additionally, recent investigations have uncovered possible immune- and inflammation-related treatment targets, supporting personalized therapeutic approaches. Conclusions; In summary, immune mechanisms and inflammation are fundamental in thyroid disorders. Deeper insight into these processes aids therapy development. Analyzing interactions between immune responses and thyroid pathology helps refine clinical care and direct new treatment research. Moving forward, cooperation among clinicians, scientists, and health policymakers should be enhanced. Integrating established and emerging interventions can improve comprehensive thyroid disease management, benefiting patients and meeting unresolved healthcare demands.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY - JOUR
T1 - The Interplay Between Immune Cells, Inflammation, and the Thyroid Gland
AU - Zuqiang Huang
Y1 - 2025/12/20
PY - 2025
N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijde.20251004.14
DO - 10.11648/j.ijde.20251004.14
T2 - International Journal of Diabetes and Endocrinology
JF - International Journal of Diabetes and Endocrinology
JO - International Journal of Diabetes and Endocrinology
SP - 107
EP - 115
PB - Science Publishing Group
SN - 2640-1371
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijde.20251004.14
AB - Background; The thyroid is a crucial endocrine organ, and its dysfunction can cause various disorders. Autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease are the most prevalent. Current studies show that immune activity and inflammation are central to thyroid pathology. Yet, the detailed processes linking immune cells, inflammatory mediators, and thyroid tissue remain incompletely clarified. Thus, examining thyroid structure and function, analyzing immune-related injury pathways, and synthesizing recent progress are valuable for clarifying autoimmune pathology and advancing targeted therapies.. Methods; This work evaluates existing academic literature and research reports. It addresses thyroid anatomy and physiology, the involvement of immune cells in thyroid disorders, inflammatory mechanisms in thyroid damage, and the interplay between immune activity and thyroid function. By combining fundamental and clinical evidence, it explores the connection between immunity and thyroid pathology. Results; Findings indicate that immune cells and inflammation are pivotal in thyroid disease development, especially in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease. The review outlines immune-mediated damage to thyroid tissue, noting the roles of genetic susceptibility, environmental factors, and immune imbalance in initiating and worsening autoimmunity. Additionally, recent investigations have uncovered possible immune- and inflammation-related treatment targets, supporting personalized therapeutic approaches. Conclusions; In summary, immune mechanisms and inflammation are fundamental in thyroid disorders. Deeper insight into these processes aids therapy development. Analyzing interactions between immune responses and thyroid pathology helps refine clinical care and direct new treatment research. Moving forward, cooperation among clinicians, scientists, and health policymakers should be enhanced. Integrating established and emerging interventions can improve comprehensive thyroid disease management, benefiting patients and meeting unresolved healthcare demands.
VL - 10
IS - 4
ER -

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Zuqiang Huang

Department of Clinical Medicine, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China

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http://orcid.org/0009-0008-6982-0193

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Huang, Z. (2025). The Interplay Between Immune Cells, Inflammation, and the Thyroid Gland. International Journal of Diabetes and Endocrinology, 10(4), 107-115. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijde.20251004.14

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ACS Style

Huang, Z. The Interplay Between Immune Cells, Inflammation, and the Thyroid Gland. Int. J. Diabetes Endocrinol. 2025, 10(4), 107-115. doi: 10.11648/j.ijde.20251004.14

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AMA Style

Huang Z. The Interplay Between Immune Cells, Inflammation, and the Thyroid Gland. Int J Diabetes Endocrinol. 2025;10(4):107-115. doi: 10.11648/j.ijde.20251004.14

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@article{10.11648/j.ijde.20251004.14,
  author = {Zuqiang Huang},
  title = {The Interplay Between Immune Cells, Inflammation, and the Thyroid Gland},
  journal = {International Journal of Diabetes and Endocrinology},
  volume = {10},
  number = {4},
  pages = {107-115},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijde.20251004.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijde.20251004.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijde.20251004.14},
  abstract = {Background; The thyroid is a crucial endocrine organ, and its dysfunction can cause various disorders. Autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease are the most prevalent. Current studies show that immune activity and inflammation are central to thyroid pathology. Yet, the detailed processes linking immune cells, inflammatory mediators, and thyroid tissue remain incompletely clarified. Thus, examining thyroid structure and function, analyzing immune-related injury pathways, and synthesizing recent progress are valuable for clarifying autoimmune pathology and advancing targeted therapies.. Methods; This work evaluates existing academic literature and research reports. It addresses thyroid anatomy and physiology, the involvement of immune cells in thyroid disorders, inflammatory mechanisms in thyroid damage, and the interplay between immune activity and thyroid function. By combining fundamental and clinical evidence, it explores the connection between immunity and thyroid pathology. Results; Findings indicate that immune cells and inflammation are pivotal in thyroid disease development, especially in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease. The review outlines immune-mediated damage to thyroid tissue, noting the roles of genetic susceptibility, environmental factors, and immune imbalance in initiating and worsening autoimmunity. Additionally, recent investigations have uncovered possible immune- and inflammation-related treatment targets, supporting personalized therapeutic approaches. Conclusions; In summary, immune mechanisms and inflammation are fundamental in thyroid disorders. Deeper insight into these processes aids therapy development. Analyzing interactions between immune responses and thyroid pathology helps refine clinical care and direct new treatment research. Moving forward, cooperation among clinicians, scientists, and health policymakers should be enhanced. Integrating established and emerging interventions can improve comprehensive thyroid disease management, benefiting patients and meeting unresolved healthcare demands.},
 year = {2025}
}

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