目的 :探讨新的致炎性细胞因子白细胞介素 18(interleukin 18,IL 18)在桥本病 (Hashimoto’sthyroiditis,HT)的甲状腺组织中是否表达及其细胞定位。方法 :6例HT和 6例亚急性甲状腺炎 (subacutethyroiditis,ST)患者以自动活检枪穿刺获得病理诊断并留取甲状腺组织 ,对照甲状腺组织获自 6例喉癌全喉切除术患者。IL 18表达的检测采用免疫组化染色。结果 :IL 18在正常甲状腺组织中未见表达。IL 18在HT组甲状腺组织中的表达明显高于ST组 ,前者IL 18表达主要定位于甲状腺滤泡细胞 ,而后者则主要定位于肉芽肿内单核 巨噬细胞。结论 :首次报道了IL 18在HT的甲状腺细胞中表达。IL 18可能在HT的发病机制中发挥重要的作用 OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether or not the expression of interleukin 18 (IL 18), a novel inflammatory cytokine, is involved in the thyroid tissue of Hashimoto’s disease (HT) and its cellular localization. Methods: Six cases of HT and six cases of subacute thyroiditis (ST) were pathologically diagnosed by autopsy gun and thyroid tissue was collected. The control thyroid tissue was obtained from 6 patients with laryngectomy and total laryngectomy. The expression of IL-18 was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: IL 18 was not expressed in normal thyroid tissue. The expression of IL-18 in HT group was significantly higher than that in ST group. The former was mainly located in thyroid follicular cells, while the latter was mainly located in mononuclear macrophage in granuloma. Conclusion: It was first reported that IL-18 is expressed in thyroid cells of HT. IL 18 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of HT