Thyrotropin and CD40L Stimulate Interleukin-12 Expression in Fibrocytes: Implications for Pathogenesis of Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy

TSH and CD40L induce IL-12 expression in fibrocytes, and Akt and NF-κB mediate this activity. Given the importance of IL-12 in immune function, its production by fibrocytes may promote an inflammatory immune response and tissue remodeling in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy.