Differential gene expression profiling of orbital adipose tissue in thyroid orbitopathy

Abstract

PURPOSE. We aimed to determine differentially expressed genes relevant to orbital inflammation and orbital fat expansion in thyroid orbitopathy (TO) using microarray gene profiling in a case-control study. METHODS. Human orbital adipose samples were obtained from individuals with active TO (n ¼ 12), inactive TO (n ¼ 21), and normal controls (n ¼ 21). Gene expression profiles were examined using microarray analysis and were compared between active and inactive TO, and between active TO and normal controls. Top ranked differentially expressed genes were validated by real-time RT-PCR in an additional eight active TO, 13 inactive TO, and 11 normal controls and correlated with gene set enrichment..