Interspecies cross-reactive determinants of thyroglobulin recognized by autoantibodies.

In this study, we have attempted to characterize the epitopes of thyroglobulin (Tg) recognized by autoantibodies. Anti-autologous Tg from the serum reacted with other Tg from whales, pigs, cows, chickens and rats as well as with human Tg, thereby indicating that human Tg share epitopes recognized by autoantibodies with Tg from various animal species.