Absence Of TSH Research Articles

Effect of Interleukin-6 on Cell Proliferation of FRTL-5 Cells

We studied the effects of interleukin-6(IL-6) on DNA synthesis and cyclic AMP production in rat thyroid FRTL-5 cells. When cells were incubated with IL-6 in the presence or absence of IGF-I, cell proliferation was not observed. By contrast, IL-6 stimulated DNA synthesis in a dose dependent manner when TSH was added concomitantly. On the other hand, IL-6 did not modulate the cAMP accumulation in the presence or absence of TSH. These data demonstrate that, like IGF-I, IL-6 may be able to act as a growth factor through activation of a mitogenic signal transduction pathway different from A-kinase in FRTL-5 cells.

A simple assay of peroxidase activity in cultured thyroid follicles using tetramethylbenzidine as substrate

Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) is well known to be an essential enzyme for the biosynthesis of thyroid hormone. The changes of TPO activities in thyroid tissue have already been reported in pathophysiological and experimental conditions by several assay methods. Most of these assay methods, however, need relatively large amounts of tissue (over 10mg wet tissue) to obtain enzyme fraction for assay by homogenization and fractionation of the tissue. Therefore, it is difficult to apply these methods to relatively small numbers (less than 10(6) cells) of thyroid cells. In the present study, we attempted to develop a new and simple method for the assay of TPO activity using tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) as substrate. The reaction mixture were composed of 250 microliters of commercially available tetramethylbenzidine solution containing H2O2 (TM-Blue; TSI-CDP) and 250 microliters of cell lysate obtained by freeze-thawing in 0.1M citrate buffer (pH 4.8). Various doses of known amounts of horseradish peroxidase (HRP; 0-1000 microU) were assayed as a standard at the same time. TPO activity in cell lysate was expressed as the activity corresponding to HRP activity. In this assay method, TPO activity of sonicated-cell lysate was higher than that of nonsonicated-cell lysate, and the activity in sonicated cell lysate was linearly correlated with cell numbers. Next, the effects on the TPO activity of the direct addition of various agents into the reaction mixture were also examined. Both methylmercaptoimidazole (MMI) and NaN3 strongly inhibited TPO activity in sonicated-cell lysate as well as in mitochondria-microsomal fraction of thyroid tissue with the respective IC50 value of less than 5 microM and less than 0.1 mM. In the present method, the authors could demonstrate the following: 1) After 4 days of suspension culture with TSH (0.5 mU/ml), TPO activity of the follicles increased 3.2-5.6 fold when compared with that cultured in the absence of TSH. 2) (Bu)2cAMP (DBC; 1 mM) and forskolin (20 microM) also increased TPO activity of the follicles by 2.9-5.2 and by 2.9-6.2 fold. 3) The addition of NaI (0-100 microM) into medium dose-dependently inhibited the induction of TPO activity by TSH. 4) EGF (10(-8) M) and PMA (10(-6) M) as well as NaI (100 microM) also inhibited the induction of TPO activity in the follicles by TSH, DBC and forskolin during culture for 4 days. Accordingly, it is indicated that these agents may inhibit an induction of TPO activity at least in part at the step of post-cAMP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Long-term effects of thyroid stimulating hormone and insulin on intracellular pH in FRTL-5 cells.

We have studied the chronic effects of TSH (100 microU/ml) and insulin (10 micrograms/ml) on intracellular pH (pH(i)) in FRTL-5 cells using the pH sensitive probe 2'7-bis (2-carboxyethyl-5'-6') carboxyfluorescein. FRTL-5 cells were cultured on Petri dishes either in the presence of 4H, ie. Coons F-12 containing cortisol (10 nM), transferrin (0.5 microgram/ml), glycyl-histidyl lysine acetate (10 ng/ml) and somatostatin (10 micrograms/ml), or with 4H + insulin (5H), 4H + TSH, or 4H + TSH + insulin (6H). pH(i) was measured in small groups of cells by microspectrofluorimetry both in the presence and absence of bicarbonate ions after cells had been deprived of serum for at least a day. In the absence of TSH, insulin and bicarbonate ions, pH(i) was 7.26 +/- 0.18 (mean +/- SD, n = 49) rising to 7.89 +/- 0.09 (n = 59) and 7.43 +/- 0.1 (n = 55) in the presence of TSH (4H + TSH) and insulin (5H) respectively. Addition of both insulin and TSH (6H) resulted in a pH(i) of 7.75 +/- 0.09 (n = 40). In the absence of TSH and insulin, but the presence of bicarbonate ions, pH(i) was 7.29 +/- 0.12 (mean +/- SD n = 47) rising to 7.72 +/- 0.07 (n = 59) in 4H + TSH and 7.48 +/- 0.08 (n = 60) in 5H. pH(i) in the presence of both TSH and insulin was 7.81 +/- 0.03 (n = 60). In conclusion, both insulin and TSH caused an intracellular alkalinization, TSH markedly so, even in the presence of bicarbonate ions.

Protein kinase-C activation during thyrotropin-stimulated proliferation of rat FRTL-5 thyroid cells.

We have reported previously that TSH and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) synergistically stimulate DNA synthesis and elevate the 1,2-diacylglycerol (1,2-DG) content of FRTL-5 thyroid cells and have suggested that protein kinase-C (PKC) may mediate the growth-promoting effects of these hormones. We now present evidence that the effects of TSH on 1,2-DG content are associated with commensurate changes in PKC activity. We measured 1,2-DG content and PKC activity in TSH-deprived growth-arrested cells when TSH was readded. Cells were maintained in medium containing a high dose of insulin (which interacts with IGF-I receptors) and no TSH. When cells incubated in the absence of TSH were reexposed to TSH for 24 h, the 1,2-DG content increased to 234 +/- 22% of the control value, and the ratio of PKC activity in membrane and cytosol fractions of cell homogenates, an index of the state of activation of PKC in situ, increased to 323 +/- 42% of the control value. In cells growing under the influence of TSH in medium containing a high dose of insulin, we found that PKC activity varied during growth. Total cellular PKC activity (3.2 +/- 0.1 nmol/min.micrograms DNA) and the ratio of membrane/cytosol PKC activity (0.24 +/- 0.002) were high during exponential proliferation and fell progressively to 1.1 +/- 0.08 nmol/min.micrograms DNA and 0.12 and fell progressively to 1.1 +/- 0.08 nmol/min.micrograms DNA and 0.12 +/- 0.01, respectively, as cells attained confluence. The specific activity of membrane-associated PKC was 3.0 +/- 0.37 nmol/mg.min in early exponential growth and declined to 0.72 +/- 0.14 nmol/mg.min as cell proliferation ceased. The 1,2-DG content also varied during growth, with a peak occurring during exponential growth, followed by a decline as cells attained a confluent state. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that the growth-promoting effects of TSH in FRTL-5 cells are mediated, at least in part, by 1,2-DG activation of PKC. Since we have demonstrated previously that the effect of TSH to elevate 1,2-DG is, in turn, mediated by cAMP, this represents a special example of the interaction of these two signal transduction systems in regulation of cell proliferation.

Hormonal control of cell to cell communication: regulation by thyrotropin of the gap junction-mediated dye transfer between thyroid cells.

By microinjection of Lucifer yellow (LY) and analysis of the cell to cell transfer of the fluorescent probe, we have examined 1) the ability of thyroid cells in primary culture to reconstitute gap junctions and 2) the effects of extracellular signals on the functional activity of these junctions. Isolated thyrocytes cultured in tissue culture-treated petri dishes either formed monolayers or reorganized in follicular structures in the presence of the glycoprotein hormone TSH. In both culture conditions, LY-coupled cells were evident after 24-36 h. The communication between cells forming a reconstituted thyroid follicle was maintained for up to 9 days. In contrast, the dye coupling between cells in monolayer progressively decreased with time. The cell to cell communication, i.e., the number of dye-coupled cells in thyroid cell monolayer, was increased by TSH in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The TSH action was not related to de novo protein synthesis. (Bu)2cAMP exhibited stimulatory effects similar, in terms of time course and amplitude of action, to those of TSH. The phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate rapidly inhibited both basal and TSH- or (Bu)2 cAMP-activated cell to cell communication. The dye coupling of cells in reconstituted follicles was also blocked by a short 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate treatment in both the presence and absence of TSH. Our data show that thyroid cells in culture, regardless of the full expression of the differentiated phenotype, rapidly reestablish intercellular gap junctions. The functional activity of gap junctions appears to be regulated 1) positively by a hormone, TSH, probably acting via the cAMP and protein kinase-A pathway, and 2) negatively by phorbol esters through the activation of protein kinase-C, the two regulatory pathways being interdependent.

Monoclonal Antiidiotypic Antibodies Interact with the 93 Kilodalton Thyrotropin Receptor and Exhibit Heterogeneous Biological Activities

Ten antiidiotypic monoclonal antibodies (AI mAb) reacting with the TSH receptor were produced by immunization of mice with a mouse mAb directed to a TSH epitope involved in the binding of the hormone to the receptor. The AI mAb were tested for their effects on the TSH receptor-adenylate cyclase system. Four AI mAb behave as agonists of TSH as they compete with TSH for binding to the receptor and stimulate the adenylate cyclase activity. Five AI mAb inhibited both TSH binding to the receptor and adenylate cyclase activity in the presence and absence of TSH; they were thus considered as antagonists of the hormone. One mAb inhibited only slightly the binding of TSH to the receptor and did not interfere significantly with the adenylate cyclase activity. The 10 AI mAb bound with various apparent affinities to solubilized thyroid membrane proteins but not to kidney, spleen, and liver membranes. Membrane desialylation did not significantly alter the binding of the AI mAb whereas deglycosylation modified more or less strongly the binding of mAb to thyroid membranes. It was also shown that the binding to solubilized thyroid membranes of the 10 mAb was inhibited by anti-TSH receptor autoantibodies present in patients with autoimmune disease. The mAb were further analyzed by Western blot analysis. One mAb did not react with the antigen, which suggested that it was directed to a conformational epitope. The other 9 mAb reacted with a protein of 70 kilodaltons and 5 revealed another band of 93 kilodaltons in accordance with the TSH receptor size deduced from the recently molecular cloning.

Autonomous Growth and Function of Cultured Thyroid Follicles from Cats with Spontaneous Hyperthyroidism

Spontaneous feline hyperthyroidism is a unique experimental model of toxic nodular goiter. To determine whether feline toxic goiter is caused by extrathyroidal stimulating factors or by the intrinsic autonomy of follicular cells, primary cultures of enzymatically dissociated follicles from 15 hyperthyroid cat goiters and from 3 normal cat thyroid glands were embedded in collagen gels. Growth and function in chemically defined media were assessed by autoradiography after double labeling with 3H-thymidine and 131I-Na. Iodine organification in follicles from normal glands was TSH dependent, but intense radioiodine organification occurred in follicles from hyperfunctioning goiters even in the absence of TSH. Similarly, twice as many follicular cells of hyperfunctioning thyroid tissue, maintained without TSH in the medium, were labeled after exposure to 3H-thymidine than in follicles from normal glands. The results strongly suggest that intrinsic alterations of cell function lead to autonomy of follicular growth and function and subsequently to the development of hyperplastic nodules, causing thyrotoxicosis. The reason for the focal nature of the disease remains an unresolved challenge. Further investigation using this model may further understanding of the growth of autonomous endocrine tumors.

Long-term iodination of thyroglobulin by porcine thyroid cells cultured in porous-bottomed culture chambers: regulation by thyrotrophin

Thyroid cells cultured as monolayers on the porous bottom of culture chambers have been shown to express some specific functions of thyroid follicles. This system, which allows independent access to apical and basal media, is suitable for the long-term study of polarized processes, as the cells maintain their polarized organization. Iodination of thyroglobulin has been investigated under different culture conditions in the presence or absence of TSH. Apical thyroglobulin accumulation, apical iodide concentration and thyroglobulin iodination have been followed simultaneously. Iodide (0.5 mumol/l) was added to basal medium at various stages: only once for 4-day incubations and at each medium change or daily for longer experiments. TSH increased the amount of thyroglobulin secreted into the apical medium by five- to sixfold, whereas high basal iodide concentrations (greater than 5 mumol/l) inhibited thyroglobulin secretion by TSH-stimulated cells. TSH increased iodide uptake giving an iodide concentration ratio between apical and basal media of about 5. Thyroglobulin iodination was dependent upon TSH. Thyroglobulin was iodinated only in the apical compartment. Secretion and iodination of thyroglobulin were polarized phenomena, but the polarity of iodination was total whereas the polarity of secretion was only partial (10% basal secretion). This functional asymmetry was maintained for up to 29 days. The maximal incorporation of iodine into thyroglobulin obtained was never higher than 3.5 atoms/mol. Apical iodide concentrations from 1 to 15 mumol/l, depending on culture conditions, did not increase this value. These results suggest that cells cultured in this culture system are able to reproduce several steps of thyroidal iodide metabolism although there may be unknown factors which could interfere and reduce the efficiency of thyroglobulin iodination.

The mechanism of action of tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin 1 on FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells

Previous work showed that treatment of rats with tumour necrosis factor-alpha produced a model of nonthyroid illness in which there was reduction of circulating thyroid hormones and TSH, reduced thyroid response to TSH, and reduced thyroid iodide uptake. In vitro studies showed that tumour necrosis factor-alpha binds to a specific receptor on FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells, that TSH increases the number of tumour necrosis factor-alpha receptors, and that tumour necrosis factor-alpha inhibits iodide uptake by these cells. In the present study, we obtained additional data on the effects of tumour necrosis factor-alpha on FRTL-5 cells and studied the mechanism of action of tumour necrosis factor-alpha in these cells. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha inhibited both basal and TSH-stimulated [125I]iodide uptake: tumour necrosis factor-alpha slowed the recovery of [125I]iodide trapping after the cells were exposed to TSH and augmented the loss of the [125I]iodide trapping function after the cells were deprived of TSH: tumour necrosis factor-alpha inhibited [125I]iodide trapping in a noncompetitive manner; tumour necrosis factor-alpha did not affect cell growth of FRTL-5 cells. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) also inhibited basal and TSH-stimulated [125I]iodide uptake, but it stimulated cell growth. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha and IL-1 did not affect the generation of cAMP in the presence or absence of TSH; these cytokines blocked the cAMP-induced stimulation of [125I]iodide uptake. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha did not affect [3H]arachidonic acid uptake or release by FRTL-5 cells. The inhibitors of the phospholipase A2-arachidonic acid pathway did not affect the action of tumour necrosis factor-alpha.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Transcellular iodide transport and iodination on the apical plasma membrane by monolayer porcine thyroid cells cultured on collagen-coated filters

Isolated porcine thyroid follicular cells were cultured on a collagen-coated Millipore filter to form a monolayer. The monolayer could translocate 125I added in the medium beneath the filter (basal medium) into the medium above the monolayer (apical medium) and form an iodide concentration gradient of several-fold. Transcellular iodide pump activity was observed when the cells were cultured with TSH in the basal medium. In the absence of TSH, the translocation of iodide was very slow. The concentration of TSH required to activate the iodide pump was 0.1-0.3 mU/ml. Addition of ClO4- to the basal medium inhibited transcellular transport, whilst addition of ClO4- to the apical medium was much less effective. Constituents labelled with 125I in the apical medium were analysed. The amount of protein-bound 125I measured by acid precipitation was 3-8% of the total radioactivity. The residual radioactivity was found to be iodide ion by paper chromatography. Further analysis by sodium dodecylsulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that most of the 125I-labelled protein was at the position of bovine serum albumin which had been added to the culture medium. The monolayer culture of cells on collagen-coated filter would be a useful experimental system for analysing thyroid cell functions for which the cell polarity is essential.

Thyrotropin Dependent and Independent Thyroid Cell Lines Selected from FRTL-5 Derived Tumors Grown in Nude Mice*

FRTL-5 cells were used to set up a thyroid tumor model system in C3H nu/nu mice. FRTL-5 tumors could be grown in nude mice provided serum TSH levels were elevated. Persistent TSH elevation was obtained by administration of Na131I, rendering the mice hypothyroid. After 4 weeks FRTL-5 cells were injected sc resulting in tumor growth within 2 weeks in eight out of eight mice. Although the tumors showed an apparently undifferentiated histology, lacking normal follicular structures, they were functional since the tumors were capable of concentrating [131]iodine, as demonstrated by nuclear imaging. From one of the tumors a new cell line was isolated (FRTL-5/T) that, like the parental FRTL-5 cell line, was TSH dependent for growth. In a control group of six euthyroid nude mice FRTL-5 tumor growth could not be obtained with one exception. After 3 months one animal developed a small tumor that grew rapidly thereafter. This tumor was easily transplantable in other euthyroid nude mice, showed an undifferentiated histology, and was nonfunctional, as it could not concentrate [131]iodine. From this tumor two cell lines were derived: one cultured in the presence of TSH (FRTL-5/TP) and one in the absence of TSH (FRTL-5/TA). Both cell lines were found to be TSH independent for growth. The cell lines were analyzed for TSH responsive functions and TSH receptor expression. Responsiveness to TSH in FRTL-5/T and the parental FRTL-5 cell line were similar for most thyroid specific functions tested. However, FRTL-5/T was less sensitive than FRTL-5 for TSH induced [3H]thymidine incorporation. Both cell lines had two classes of TSH binding sites with high and low affinity respectively, as determined by Scatchard analysis. FRTL-5/TP and FRTL-5/TA were both able to grow in TSH free medium and were nonresponsive to TSH in vitro, as tested for [3H]thymidine and [3H]uridine incorporation, iodine uptake, thyroglobulin iodination, and thyroglobulin secretion. This correlated with an approximately 100-fold decreased number of TSH binding sites compared to FRTL-5. The latter was caused by a complete absence of low affinity binding sites, whereas high affinity receptors were still detectable. The FRTL-5/TA cell line was the least differentiated one as thyroglobulin mRNA was detectable in only minute amounts and thyroid peroxidase expression could not be measured. These in vivo selected FRTL-5 cell lines offer a suitable model to investigate several aspects of TSH responsiveness, including signal transduction and postreceptor events, thyroid differentiation, and thyroid tumorigenesis.

Thyrotrophin regulation of apical and basal exocytosis of thyroglobulin by porcine thyroid monolayers

Exocytosis, the ultimate step in thyroglobulin secretion, has been studied in porcine thyroid cells cultured in monolayers on the permeable bottom of culture chambers. We have previously demonstrated, using this culture system, that apical secretion accounts for 85-95% of total secretion of newly synthesized thyroglobulin. When cells were cultured for several days with bovine TSH (25 microU/ml) in the basal medium, the rate of glycoprotein accumulation in the upper compartment was three times higher than that in the absence of TSH. In contrast, the rate of thyroglobulin released into the basal medium (5-15% of total secreted thyroglobulin) appeared unmodified by chronic TSH stimulation. To investigate the effect of acute TSH stimulation on thyroglobulin exocytosis in the apical and basal compartments, pulse-chase experiments were carried out with the same culture system. The release of radiolabelled thyroglobulin (1.5-h pulse) into the apical medium was increased threefold during the 2-h chase period under TSH stimulation. The radiolabelled thyroglobulin released into the basal medium was increased only 1.5- to 2-fold, and stimulation disappeared after 1 h. The effect of TSH was maximal when the chase medium contained 50 microU TSH/ml. However, cells cultured for several days in the presence of 25 microU TSH/ml before the pulse-chase experiment, appeared desensitized to acute TSH stimulation. Similar responses were observed when the chase medium contained 8-chloro-cyclic AMP or cholera toxin. This study provides another example of the pleiotropic effect of TSH, mediated by cyclic AMP, on the sequential steps of thyroglobulin gene expression in cultured thyroid cells in which the polar character of the epithelial cells is well preserved.

Cloning of Malignantly Transformed Rat Thyroid (FRTL) Cells with Thyrotropin Receptors and Their Growth Inhibition by 3′,5′-Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate TOYOSHI ENDO*

Differentiated rat thyroid cells, designated FRTL, are totally dependent on TSH for their growth. We continuously cultured FRTL cells in the absence of TSH and found that another type of cell appeared in the culture. The new cells were large, flattened and epithelial-like, and none of them exhibited thyroglobulin immunoreactivity. Since they grew independently of TSH, we further cloned these mutated cells by the limited dilution method in the absence of TSH. cAMP production in the cloned cells (FRTL-Tc) was stimulated dose-dependently by TSH. The TSH concentration that produced a maximal level of cAMP in FRTL-Tc cells was 1 order of magnitude higher than in FRTL cells. A [125I]TSH binding study confirmed that the FRTL-Tc cells had TSH receptors with the same binding capacity but a higher Kd than those of FRTL cells. A [125I]cyanopindolol binding study revealed that the FRTL-Tc cells had acquired beta 2-adrenergic receptors and that isoproterenol or epinephrine could stimulate cAMP production in the cells. TSH or beta-adrenergic agonists inhibited the growth of these cells, as did (Bu)2cAMP. When FRTL-Tc cells were transplanted into the sc tissue in Fisher rats, they grew as a tumor in all of the animals (n = 10). Metastasis of the tumors to the lung and liver occurred. These results indicate that FRTL-Tc cells are malignantly transformed cells with TSH receptors derived from thyroid epithelial cells and also suggest that the role of cAMP in the proliferation of the transformed cells might be different from that in normal cells.

Iodine Inhibits the Proliferation of Rat Thyroid Cells in Culture*

We have explored the mechanisms whereby iodine inhibits thyroid growth using as models both the FRTL5 line of rat thyroid follicular cells that require TSH for growth and the M12 line of mutant cells that grow in the absence of TSH. Between 0.01-1.0 mM, NaI produced a dose-dependent inhibition of TSH stimulation of [3H]thymidine incorporation and replication in FRTL5 cells as well as spontaneous growth in M12 cells. Iodide also inhibited the cAMP-dependent growth of FRTL5 cells induced by forskolin and (Bu)2cAMP, as well as the cAMP-independent mitogenesis induced by insulin-like growth factor-I. The effect of iodide to inhibit both TSH- and insulin-like growth factor-I-stimulated growth in FRTL5 cells was abolished by concomitant culture with methimazole, and no iodide inhibition of growth was observed in L6 myoblasts and BRL 30E hepatocytes. Exposure of cells to iodide under conditions that resulted in inhibition of TSH-stimulated growth did not significantly alter the ability of TSH to increase the intracellular cAMP concentration, nor did iodide alter two responses to TSH in FRTL5 cells that depend upon an increase in cAMP concentration: down-regulation of TSH receptor and cytoskeletal reorganization. We conclude that iodide exerts its inhibitory action on the growth of thyroid cells at multiple loci related to both the cAMP-dependent and cAMP-independent pathways of mitogenic regulation.

Thyrotropin Modulates Receptors for Atrial Natriuretic Peptide on Intact Human Thyroid Cells

Interest in the mechanism of impaired salt and water metabolism in hypothyroidism has led to growing evidence of an interaction between atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and the thyroid, which includes reports of direct effects of thyroid hormone on ANP synthesis and circulating ANP levels, and of the presence of specific ANP receptors in human thyroid tissue, which may act to inhibit thyroglobulin (Tg) secretion. The authors questioned whether or not thyrotropin (TSH) has a role in this interaction. They used 125I-ANP to study the effect of TSH on ANP binding to human thyroid cells in primary culture. Binding competition by increasing concentrations of unlabeled ANP in the presence or absence of TSH was assessed by Scatchard analysis. At lower temperatures of 4 degrees C or 23 degrees C, TSH had no effect either on the ANP receptor equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) or number of binding sites. However, at 37 degrees C, bovine TSH at 1 mU/ml reduced measurable binding sites by about 50% without affecting receptor affinity (Kd = 0.2 nM). Prolonged (6 days) coincubation of TSH with thyroid cells decreased the assayable ANP receptor. The effects of TSH appear to be specific because human luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulatory hormone, growth hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin and iodide had no effect on ANP binding. Thus, human thyroid cells possess a single class of high-affinity, specific receptors for ANP with binding activity that is temperature dependent and modulated by TSH at physiologic temperature. TSH-mediated reduction of binding at 37 degrees C but not at 4 degrees C suggests an energy-dependent process that acts possibly by activating an ANP degradative enzyme or by changing the rate of receptor internalization and subsequent degradation.

Enhanced Induction of Thyroid Cell MHC Class II Antigen Expression in Rats Highly Responsive to Thyroglobulin*

Initial experiments demonstrated that the degree of autoantibody and proliferative T cell responses to syngeneic rat thyroglobulin differed markedly between Buffalo (high responder) and Fisher (low responder) rats after classical immunization schedules. While varying immune responsiveness may be due to qualitative and quantitative T and B cell differences, the role of thyroid cell MHC class II antigens may be pivotal to the onset of autoimmune thyroiditis in such animal models. We, therefore, examined the induction of MHC class II antigens in thyroid monolayers derived from Buffalo and Fisher rats treated with methimazole (0.1% in their water) for 4 weeks to induce mild thyroid hyperplasia. After thyroidectomy, thyroid cell monolayers were prepared and exposed to recombinant rat gamma-interferon (gamma IF; 10-1000 U/ml) for 1-7 days in the presence and absence of TSH (1 mU/ml). Both Buffalo and Fisher thyroid monolayers responded to gamma IF with MHC class II antigen expression when assessed by laser flow cytometry using MRC OX-6 monoclonal anti-RT1.B. In both types of culture, TSH enhanced MHC class II antigen expression in the presence of gamma IF to the same degree. However, there was a consistently earlier and greater degree of MHC class II antigen expression in Buffalo thyroid monolayers compared to Fisher monolayers, a phenomenon not explicable on the basis of fibroblast contamination as assessed by cytokeratin staining. These data demonstrate that end-organ sensitivity to MHC class II antigen expression may be important in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid disease.

Thyrotropin Increases Malic Enzyme Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Levels in Rat FRTL-5 Thyroid Cells

The addition of TSH to FRTL-5 thyroid cells induces a 7- to 8-fold increase in the steady state level of malic enzyme [L-malate-NADP+ oxidoreductase (decarboxylating); EC 1.1.1.40] mRNA, but does not alter beta-actin mRNA levels. Insulin alone or together with TSH has no effect on malic enzyme mRNA. The effect of TSH is not the result of thyroid hormone formation, since the addition of T3 in the presence or in the absence of TSH and the addition of 5% serum (which includes T3 and T4) have no effect. Forskolin (10(-6) M) reproduces the TSH effect, suggesting that cAMP is involved.

Analysis of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and effect of EGF on the growth of cultured Graves' and non-neoplastic human thyroid cells.

We analyzed epidermal growth factor receptors (EGF-R) and the growth stimulatory effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the presence or absence of TSH on cultured human non-neoplastic and Graves' thyroid cells. All cells studied possessed EGF-R composed of two components. There was no significant differences in the binding characters of EGF-R among non-neoplastic thyroid cells whether they were obtained from thyroid tissues adjacent to malignant carcinoma or benign adenoma. Ten nM of EGF stimulated (3H)-thymidine (dTR) incorporation of non-neoplastic thyroid cells by about 50%. However, TSH had no effect on the growth of these cells. Both EGF-R binding parameters and cell proliferation effects of EGF and TSH were simultaneously examined in non-neoplastic thyroid cells from 8 patients. A significant inverse correlation (r = -0.757) was observed between binding affinity (Ka1) and EGF-induced increase of dTR incorporation. Binding capacity (Cmax) did not correlate significantly with dTR incorporation. In Graves' thyroid cells, all parameters of EGF-R were significantly lower than those of non-neoplastic thyroid cells, higher basal dTR incorporation was observed, and their goiter size significantly correlated with EGF-induced increase of dTR incorporation (r = 0.879) and also appeared to correlate inversely with Ka1. These data indicate a close relationship between the binding affinity of EGF-R and thyroid cell growth.

Thyroglobulin gene expression as a differentiation marker in primary cultures of calf thyroid cells

A system of calf thyroid follicular cells in primary cultures has been developed to investigate the control of thyroglobulin gene expression in normal cells in vitro. In low (0.1%) serum conditions, the cells remained quiescent and formed dense aggregates surrounded by slowly spreading cells. High expression of thyroid-specific differentiation markers such as thyroglobulin (Tg) mRNA accumulation and iodide transport required the continuous exposure of cells to thyrotropin (TSH) or other adenylate cyclase activators (cholera toxin and forskolin). In the absence of TSH, Tg mRNA decreased to low but still detectable levels. Addition of TSH, forskolin or cholera toxin restored high Tg gene expression. Hydrocortisone moderately stimulated basal Tg mRNA accumulation and strongly potentiated the effect of TSH. Growth promoters including serum (1–10%), epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and 12- O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) induced calf thyroid cells to develop as a monolayer and inhibited both basal and TSH-stimulated expression of specialized functions. Moreover, only a partial restoration of this expression was achieved after addition of TSH or forskolin to well spread-out cells that had proliferated in response to EGF or serum. The results show that in calf thyroid cells, iodide transport and Tg gene expression are regulated by TSH through cyclic AMP; hydrocortisone potentiates this effect on Tg gene expression, while all growth promoting factors inhibit the expression of these differentiated functions.

Thyrotropin induces growth and iodothyronine production in a human thyroid cell line without affecting adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate production.

Using a recently described cell line derived from the fusion of human thyroid and human myeloma cells, we studied the effects of TSH on cell growth, iodide organification, and cAMP production. Although these cells grow in the absence of TSH, when incubated for 2 days in serum-free medium containing purified human or bovine TSH, there was a significant increase in cellular DNA content. The stimulatory effect was observed at concentrations as low as 0.5 microU/ml, which produced a significant increase in DNA content, and was maximal with 5 microU/ml. This effect was still present after 6 days of incubation. Electron microscopy performed by an unbiased observer on cells incubated in the presence of TSH showed an increase in the calculated size of the cells and the nucleus which was significant at 0.1 microU/ml and maximal at 1 microU/ml. Stimulation of 125I organification and hormone production was observed at TSH concentrations as low as 1 microU/ml and was maximal at 10 microU/ml. However, neither TSH (1-50 microU/ml) nor forskolin (10(-6) M) stimulated cAMP production. These data suggest that these cells lack a functional adenylate cyclase pathway and that growth and iodide organification are mediated by other second messenger systems. Such a cell line could yield new insights into the mechanisms of TSH action and may provide a sensitive bioassay for TSH and other thyrotropic factors.