Functional properties of porcine-thyroid follicles in suspension

Porcine thyroid follicle cells were isolated (about 10(7) cells per gram of tissue) and cultured in small aggregates in agarose-coated culture dishes. The aggregates became arranged into follicle-like structures capable of iodide uptake and organification. In the presence of TSH (0.2 mU/ml), the aggregation of follicles was enhanced, and iodide uptake as well as TSH-stimulated organification of iodide was increased compared with that in the control. In culture, the active iodide metabolism was gradually lost over a 7-day period. This was not due to a disappearance of the TSH-adenylate cyclase system, since cAMP production was retained and stimulated by TSH (half-maximal effect at about 1 mU/ml). Acutely TSH stimulated iodide efflux and iodide organification (half-maximal effect at about 20 microU/ml). The stimulatory effect on organification was transient: within an hour further organification proceeded as in the absence of hormone. The effects on efflux and organification were already maximal at low TSH concentrations, whereas cAMP production was stimulated with up to 50-fold higher TSH levels, i.e. the findings were typical of spare receptors. In the continued presence of epidermal growth factor, a potent mitogen for thyroid cells, the follicles increased in size and contained one single large lumen. Their capability to take up and organify iodide was reduced.     

Norepinephrine and thyrotropin effects on the thyroid in vitro: simultaneous stimulation of iodide organification and antagonism of thyroxine release

Norepinephrine (NE), which has previously been shown to inhibit TSH-induced T4 release by mouse thyroids in vitro, was found to stimulate iodide organification. The concentration of NE (6 X 10(-7) M) necessary to stimulate organification of iodide was 10 times less than the concentration (6 X 10(-6) M) required for inhibition of TSH-induced T4 release. Both actions of NE were exerted through an alpha-adrenergic receptor, since they were inhibited by phentolamine but not by l-propranolol. One milliunit of TSH maximally stimulated T4 release only, but larger amounts (100 mU) also stimulated organification. TSH stimulation of T4 release and organification was not affected by adrenergic antagonists and therefore was not mediated by adrenergic receptors. N6, O2-Dibutyryl cAMP and isobutylmethylxanthine, like TSH, stimulated T4 release. Their actions were inhibited by NE. However, both compounds, unlike TSH, failed to enhance organification in mouse thyroids. The effects of TSH and NE on the cAMP content of incubated mouse thyroids were also studied. TSH induced a prolonged increase in thyroidal cAMP during the 90-min incubation; this increase was unaffected by alpha- or beta-adrenergic antagonists. In contrast, NE (6 X 10(-5) M) produced a transient but significant increase in cAMP only within the first 5 min. Unlike the action of NE on organification, this short term stimulatory effect on cAMP production was mediated by a beta-adrenergic receptor, since it was blocked by l-propranolol but not by phentolamine. The following conclusions were reached: 1) stimulation of iodide organification and thyroid hormone release involves different sensitivity thresholds for TSH and NE; 2) TSH stimulation of iodide organification, hormone release, and cAMP formation is not exerted through adrenergic receptors; 3) NE stimulates organification and inhibits TSH-stimulated T4 release through alpha-adrenergic receptors, but stimulates cAMP production through beta-receptors; and 4) cAMP may not be the mediator of all TSH actions on the thyroid.     

Independent and interactive effects of tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate on growth and differentiated functions of FRTL5 cells

In studies of regulation of the growth and differentiated function of the thyroid follicular cell, we have employed the FRTL5 cell line to evaluate both the effects of agents that activate protein kinase-C (PKC) and their interaction with other agents that influence the growth and/or function of the FRTL5 cell. The PKC activator tetradecanoyl-phorbol acetate (TPA) alone induced a time- and concentration-dependent stimulation of the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into the DNA of quiescent FRTL5 cells, an effect anteceded by an increase in the levels of the mRNAs of the proto-oncogene c-myc and associated with a stimulation of cell replication. TPA also produced a dose-dependent inhibition of the low levels of radioiodine uptake in quiescent FRTL5 cells. These effects of TPA were unaccompanied by any change in the cellular cAMP concentration. TPA also modified a variety of responses to TSH, attenuating the TSH-induced stimulation of [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA, cell replication, cAMP generation, and iodine uptake. Inhibition of TSH-stimulated growth and iodine uptake by TPA could not be ascribed solely to a decrease in cAMP generation, since TPA also inhibited the increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation and iodide uptake induced by the cAMP analog (Bu)2cAMP. In contrast, the independent stimulatory effects of TPA and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) on [3H]thymidine incorporation and cell replication were at least additive when the two stimulators were added together. We have previously reported that both TSH and (Bu)2cAMP amplify the enhancement of DNA synthesis and cell replication in FRTL5 cells induced by IGF-I, and that the response of DNA synthesis to IGF-I is also enhanced if cells are preincubated with either TSH or (Bu)2cAMP. Both the former amplification of mitogenesis and the latter priming effect were decreased by exposing cells to TPA concomitant with their exposure to TSH or (Bu)2cAMP. The effects of TPA were mimicked by other activators of PKC, but not by a phorbol ester that fails to activate this enzyme. In general, we conclude that in the FRTL5 cell, regulation of cell growth is extremely complex; there are at least three mitogenic pathways that are separate from but interact with one another. The first is the well known cAMP-dependent pathway, which is activated by TSH. The second is activated by IGF-I and is cAMP independent. These two pathways interact to produce a marked amplification of their individual mitogenic effects. The third pathway is that stimulated by TPA and involves activation of PKC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Effects of lithium on stimulated metabolic parameters in dog thyroid slices

Thyroid abnormalities may develop during chronic lithium therapy for affective disorders. Lithium, like iodide, inhibits TSH stimulation of adenylate cyclase and thyroid hormone release. The present study examined the effect of lithium on stimulation of intrathyroidal intermediary metabolism by several agonists. LiCl (5 mmol/l) did not inhibit basal cAMP, glucose oxidation or 32P incorporation into phospholipids in dog thyroid slices. Although LiCl inhibited TSH stimulation of cAMP, it did not abolish the hormone's effect on cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The stimulation of iodide organification, glucose oxidation or 32P incorporation into phospholipids by TSH, carbachol and phorbol esters was not inhibited by lithium. This is in contrast to the effects of iodide, which inhibited stimulation of glucose oxidation and 32P incorporation into phospholipids by various agonists. Thus, although both lithium and iodide inhibited TSH-stimulated cAMP formation, they act differently on intrathyroidal intermediary metabolism.     

Effects of phorbol esters on metabolic variables in the thyroid

Since 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) reproduced some of the effects of TSH on phosphorylation of polypeptides in the thyroid, its effects on several thyroid metabolic variables were investigated. Like TSH, TPA stimulated glucose oxidation, iodide organification, and 32P incorporation into phospholipids in thyroid slices. However, in contrast to TSH, it did not augment cAMP accumulation. An inactive phorbol ester, 4 alpha-phorbol, did not reproduce any of the effects of TPA. An initial incubation of thyroid slices with TPA decreased the stimulation of cAMP, glucose oxidation, and colloid droplet formation induced by TSH. However, an initial incubation with TPA did not modify the subsequent stimulation of glucose oxidation induced by (Bu)2 cAMP. TPA potentiated the ability of TSH to desensitize the adenylate cyclase system. Although both TPA and TSH increased 32P incorporation into phospholipids, the patterns were different when individual phospholipids were examined. These results indicate another regulatory mechanism for thyroid cell functions independent of cAMP.     

Phorbol ester and phospholipase C-mediated differentiated thyroid function in vitro: the effects of protein kinase C inhibition and downregulation.

Tumor-promoting phorbol esters, e.g., 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), inhibit TSH-stimulated iodide organification in vitro implying a role for protein kinase C (PKC) in the regulation of differentiated thyroid function. To further explore the PKC dependence of this action of TPA, we studied the effects of PKC inhibition and downregulation on phorbol-mediated differentiated thyroid function in vitro. In addition, the effects of the nonphorbol PKC activator, phospholipase C (PLC) were studied. TPA (100 nM) inhibited TSH-stimulated iodide organification in cultured porcine thyroid cells by over 95% and caused PKC translocation in vitro. Exogenous PLC (1 U/mL) could mimic these effects of TPA. The PKC inhibitor, 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H7) inhibited TSH-stimulated iodide organification at concentrations exceeding 10 microM. However, partial recovery of phorbol- and PLC-inhibited iodide organification was seen in the presence of identical concentrations of H7. H7 had no effect on PKC translocation in porcine thyroid cell extracts. After 24 h of TPA treatment to induce PKC downregulation, no recovery of TSH-stimulated iodide organification was observed, suggesting that the effects of TPA were irreversible. These studies indicate that the effects of TPA and PLC on differentiated thyroid function are mediated, at least in part, by PKC. These findings provide further evidence for a role for PKC in the regulation of differentiated thyroid function.     

Control of thyroid secretion: effects of stimulators of protein kinase C, thyrotropin, and calcium mobilization on secretion of iodinated compounds from sheep thyroid cells.

We have compared and contrasted the abilities of TSH and agents capable of discretely activating the cAMP-dependent protein kinase, protein kinase C, or calcium mobilization to influence the secretion of iodinated compounds from cells prelabeled with iodide and blocked from further organification with methimazole. We found that calcium mobilization induced by A23187, protein kinase C activation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) and TSH all stimulated the secretion of iodinated compounds. The effects of TSH were mimicked by forskolin and those of TPA by a synthetic diacylglycerol, sn-1,2-dioctanoylglycerol. The effects of TPA were partially inhibited by staurosporine whereas those of TSH were not. Epidermal growth factor and norepinephrine were without effect on thyroid secretion. The effects of A23187 and TPA were synergistic. The effects of TSH and TPA were not and the increased secretion induced by either agent was partially prevented by the combination. Preincubation of cells with TSH desensitized the cells to further stimulation by TSH but the stimulatory effects of TPA were unaffected. Exposure of cells to medium without calcium also induced loss of iodinated compounds which was partially prevented by TSH or forskolin but not TPA. TSH did not stimulate the rapid production of inositol trisphosphate production. We conclude that the mechanisms by which TSH (through stimulation of cAMP) and stimulators of other intracellular pathways exert their effects on secretion of iodocompounds, differ. Activation of protein kinase C and acute production of inositol trisphosphate do not appear to be involved in the mechanism of action of TSH in stimulating thyroid secretion but calcium mobilization is implicated.     

Regulation of thyroid hormone synthesis in cultured ovine thyroid follicles.

Primary cultures of sheep thyroid follicles were used to study the regulatory control mechanisms of thyroid hormone production. When maintained under serum-free conditions in vitro these follicles exhibit hormone-dependent iodide transport, iodine organification, and physiological de novo thyroid hormone formation. In previous studies we have also shown that thyroid follicles condition their culture media with insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and IGF-binding proteins which are of potential autocrine or paracrine significance in thyroid hormonogenesis. TSH (100 microU/ml) alone modestly stimulated iodine uptake and organification, which was further potentiated by pharmacological or physiological concentrations of insulin and by physiological concentrations of IGF-I or IGF-II. A combination of TSH and cortisol (10 nM) optimally stimulated iodine uptake and organification without additive or synergistic effects among combinations of cortisol with insulin or IGFs. Insulin, IGF-I, IGF-II, or cortisol alone were without effect on iodine uptake and organification. The effect of TSH was mimicked by forskolin or (Bu)2cAMP, and the synergistic effect of cortisol with TSH was duplicated in incubations of dexamethasone with TSH. In long term studies of the same experimental conditions, with 10(-6) M NaI added to the culture medium, an increase in radioimmunoassayable T4 and T3 in conditioned cell culture media and cell layer extracts was confirmed for all conditions, with the exception of physiological concentrations of insulin. IGF-I and IGF-II were equipotent in their stimulation of thyroid hormonogenesis in the presence of TSH. The effect of high concentrations of insulin may be explained by a combined action through insulin and type I IGF receptors. We have previously reported that the stimulation of iodine uptake and organification (de novo thyroid hormone formation here) by TSH and cortisol is inversely correlated with their inhibition of IGF-binding proteins released by the cells while IGF release is unchanged. Overall, these data suggest that the regulation of thyroid hormonogenesis involves the endocrine hormones TSH and cortisol, acting in synergy with locally produced IGFs.     

The inhibitory effect of iodide on growth of rat thyroid (FRTL-5) cells

The effect of iodide on growth of rat thyroid cells (FRTL-5) was studied. TSH-stimulated cell growth was inhibited by iodide in a concentration-dependent manner, and an effect of iodide was detected at 10(-6) mol/l. KClO4 or 1-methylimidazole-2-thiol blocked the effect of iodide, suggesting that iodide uptake and its organification are required to produce the inhibitory effect of iodide on cell growth. Iodide not only decreased TSH-stimulated cAMP production in FRTL-5 cells but also cell growth induced by cAMP. These observations suggest that iodide inhibits TSH-stimulated growth of the cells by attenuating cAMP production and also by acting on the step(s) distal to cAMP generation. The inhibitory effect of iodide was also seen in growth stimulated by insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I or 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate, suggesting multiple sites of action of iodide in the process of growth of FRTL-5 cells.     

Effects of diamide on basal and thyrotropin-stimulated thyroid metabolism.

The effect of diamide on basal and TSH-stimulated thyroid metabolism was studied using bovine and dog thyroid slices. Diamide (10 mM) inhibited basal and TSH-stimulated net cAMP production, basal and cAMP-stimulated protein kinase activity, and stimulation by TSH of colloid droplet formation and organification of iodide and abolished basal and TSH-stimulated uptake of 32P into phospholipids. In thyroid slices incubated with 0.1 mM diamide, none of these activities, whether basal or TSH-stimulated, was affected. However, 0.1 mM diamide increased the net basal production of cAMP and potentiated the effect of TSH on this process. These results demonstrate that the previously reported inhibition of protein kinase by 2-20 mM diamide is not specific and that this compound cannot be used to determine which of the metabolic effects of TSH are dependent upon cAMP activation of protein kinase. While 0.1 mM diamide increased cAMP in thyroid slices, it did not reproduce any of the other effects of TSH.     

Effect of iodide on glucose oxidation and 32P incorporation into phospholipids stimulated by different agents in dog thyroid slices

Since iodide (I-) inhibits TSH stimulation of cAMP formation, which mediates most of the effects of the hormone, it has been assumed that this accounts for the inhibitory action of iodide on the thyroid. However, TSH stimulation of 32P incorporation into phospholipids and stimulation of thyroid metabolism by other agonists, such as carbachol, phorbol esters, and ionophore A23187, is not cAMP mediated. The present studies examined the effect of iodide on stimulation of glucose oxidation and 32P incorporation into phospholipids by TSH and other agonists to determine if the inhibition of cAMP formation was responsible for the action of iodide. Preincubation of dog thyroid slices for 1 h with iodide (10(-4) M) inhibited TSH-, (Bu)2cAMP-, carbachol-, methylene blue-, 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate-, ionophore A23187-, prostaglandin E1-, and cholera toxin-stimulated glucose oxidation. I- also inhibited the stimulation by TSH, 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate, carbachol, and ionophore A23187 of 32P incorporation into phospholipids. The inhibition was similar whether iodide was added 2 h before or simultaneously with the agonist. I- itself sometimes stimulated basal glucose oxidation, but had no effect on basal 32P incorporation into phospholipids. The effects of iodide on basal and agonist-stimulated thyroid metabolism were blocked by methimazole (10(-3) M). When dog thyroid slices were preloaded with 32PO4 or [1-14C]glucose, the iodide inhibition of agonist stimulation disappeared, suggesting that the effect of iodide involves the transport process. In conclusion, I- inhibited stimulation of glucose oxidation and 32P incorporation into phospholipids by all agonists, indicating that the effect is independent of the cAMP system and that iodide autoregulation does not only involve this system. Oxidation and organification of iodide are necessary for the inhibition. The ability of iodide to decrease glucose and 32PO4 transport may play an important role in thyroid autoregulation.     

Amiodarone effects on thyrotropin receptors and responses stimulated by thyrotropin and carbachol in cultured dog thyroid cells

Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic drug that often induces thyroid disorders. Its effects on several aspects of thyroid function were studied using cultured dog thyroid cells. Within 5-60 min of incubation of cell membranes with amiodarone, there were profound changes in adenylate cyclase activity and TSH receptor binding. Amiodarone specifically decreased TSH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity, but not the basal or forskolin-stimulated activities, while it increased the binding of 125I-labeled TSH to its receptors. Significant effects were seen with 5-10 microM amiodarone, with maximal effects at 50-100 microM, when TSH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was completely blocked and the labeled TSH binding increased 4- to 5-fold over control. These effects of amiodarone were reversible, since membranes exposed to 50 microM amiodarone for 1 h exhibited normal binding and cyclase activities, when amiodarone was removed by washing before the assay. The above effects of amiodarone were also observed when cells, instead of membranes, were treated with the drug, although the magnitude of changes was less than in membranes. Lower concentrations of amiodarone (10-25 microM) caused significant inhibition of iodide organification, without affecting iodide uptake, while higher concentrations (50-100 microM) inhibited organification by nearly 75% and uptake by about 20%. Amiodarone (10-100 microM) also inhibited [3H]2-deoxy-glucose uptake and the increase in intracellular calcium concentration in response to TSH and carbachol. In contrast to membranes, treatment of cells with amiodarone caused persistent inhibition of TSH-stimulated cAMP formation and iodide organification even 24-48 h after removal of the drug. However, amiodarone had no effect on cell viability, as judged by trypan blue exclusion and ability to remain attached to the culture dishes. These results suggest that amiodarone has specific inhibitory effects on agonist-stimulated functions in thyroid cells, possibly by interfering with TSH-receptor interactions and also at the level of cholinergic receptors.     

Thyroid hormone inhibition of intermediary metabolism in dog thyroid slices stimulated by different agonists.

The role of thyroid hormones in a short loop feedback in the thyroid is controversial. This process was studied in dog thyroid slices stimulated by TSH, carbachol and phorbol esters. Incubation of thyroid slices with T3 and T4 for 1 hour inhibited the subsequent stimulation of glucose oxidation induced by carbachol and phorbol esters but not by TSH. T3 also inhibited the stimulation of 32P incorporation into phospholipids stimulated by these two agonists. Glucose oxidation stimulated by TSH, carbachol and 12-0-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) was inhibited by rT3 and the inhibition was not reversed by methimazole, which did abolish the inhibition induced by iodide, MIT and DIT. TSH stimulation of cAMP was not blocked by T3 or T4 but was by rT3 and MIT- and DIT. The mechanism of such inhibition appears to be complex, possibly involving formation of iodide from rT3, MIT and DIT but also dependent on the intact iodothyronine. Moreover, our data suggest that T3 and T4 exert their inhibition on the thyroid through the phospholipids cascade and this mechanism is probably independent on the release of iodide from these iodocompounds.     

Effect of lithium on function and growth of thyroid cells in vitro.

Lithium has been reported to alter thyroid function and cause goiter in some patients. To explain the mechanism of lithium action in the thyroid gland, we studied the effect of lithium on thyroid function and cell growth in FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells and on de novo thyroid hormone formation in primary cultures of porcine thyroid follicles. TSH-induced iodide uptake was suppressed at 2 mM lithium in both FRTL-5 cells and porcine follicles. In porcine thyroid follicles, iodide uptake stimulated by 8-bromo-cAMP, iodine organification, and de novo thyroid hormone formation were also reduced by lithium; however, 2 mM lithium did not inhibit TSH-induced cAMP production. In FRTL-5 cells, lithium also inhibited forskolin-stimulated iodide uptake. These results suggested that lithium exerts its effect at a step involving cAMP signal transduction rather than inhibiting cAMP production. In both FRTL-5 thyroid cells and porcine follicles, lithium enhanced cell growth in basal states (lacking TSH) and with TSH treatment. In porcine thyroid cells, the protein kinase C activator, tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate, increased cell growth, and lithium had an additive effect with tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate on cell growth. To examine the possibility that the action of lithium was mediated by the protein kinase C pathway, porcine cells were incubated with lithium and H7, a selective protein kinase C inhibitor. Lithium-induced cell growth was suppressed to the basal level by H7. These results suggest that lithium exerts its growth-promoting effect through the protein kinase C system.     

Phorbol esters stimulate growth and inhibit differentiation in cultured thyroid cells

The potent tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) has biological effects on cell growth and differentiation similar to the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on a variety of cells. Since EGF has been shown recently to stimulate thyroid cell proliferation and inhibit iodine metabolism, we examined the effects of phorbol esters on primary ovine thyroid cultures. TPA stimulated cell growth in a manner similar to EGF. The growth effects of EGF and TPA in combination were not additive. In contrast, TPA (1.6 X 10(-7) M) was a more potent inhibitor of iodine uptake and incorporation than EGF (10(-9) M) at their maximally effective concentrations. The inhibitory effects of TPA were also more rapid and less reversible than those of EGF. TPA and EGF in combination inhibited iodine metabolism more than either agent alone at its maximally effective concentration. Both TPA and EGF reduced the accumulation of cAMP in TSH-stimulated cells, but (Bu)2cAMP and stimulators of adenylate cyclase failed to overcome TPA's inhibition of iodine metabolism. TPA interacted with EGF by reducing the affinity of membrane receptors for [125I]iodo-EGF. Although the alteration in EGF-receptor interaction induced by TPA may play a role in mediating TPA's biological effects, the additive effects of TPA and EGF on iodine metabolism suggest that TPA does not act solely through the EGF receptor-effector system. Agents other than TSH, including phorbol esters and EGF, are potent modulators of thyroid growth and differentiated function. Despite several similarities in biological activity, TPA and EGF do not modulate differentiated function in an identical manner. Both factors act at least partially through a non-cAMP-dependent pathway, providing indirect evidence of another second messenger(s) in the control of thyroid function.     

The mechanism of action of tumour necrosis factor-alpha 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)     

Examination of antithyroid effects of smoking products in cultured thyroid follicles: only thiocyanate is a potent antithyroid agent.

We studied the antithyroid action of cigarette smoking products (nicotine, cotinine, and thiocyanate) in the physiological culture system of porcine thyroid follicles. Iodide uptake, iodine organification, de novo thyroid hormone formation, and iodide efflux were measured in the presence of 0-200 mumol/l nicotine, cotinine, or potassium thiocyanate. Nicotine and cotinine did not inhibit iodide transport or thyroid hormone formation. Thiocyanate concentrations equivalent to serum levels of smokers showed three independent antithyroid actions: (i) inhibition of iodide transport, (ii) inhibition of iodine organification, and (iii) increased iodide efflux. Inhibition of iodide transport by thiocyanate was competitive with iodide and independent of TSH concentration. Thiocyanate did not inhibit TSH mediated cAMP production or Na+K+ ATPase activity, a sodium pump for iodide transport. When 50 mumol/l thiocyanate was added 2 h after incubation with iodide or when 1 mumol/l thiocyanate was added from the beginning of incubation, iodine organification was inhibited without changing iodide transport. De novo thyroid hormone formation was clearly inhibited by 50 mumol/l thiocyanate. Thiocyanate increased iodide efflux although the degrees of iodide efflux by 10 mumol/l and 100 mumol/l thiocyanate did not differ significantly. In summary, thiocyanate, a product of smoking, has three independent antithyroid activities. The data of iodide transport kinetics suggest that thiocyanate can be an antithyroid agent particularly in iodine deficiency.     

Phorbol myristate acetate inhibits alpha 1-adrenergically but not thyrotropin-regulated functions in FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells

The iodination of thyroglobulin and the formation of thyroid hormones are regulated by alpha 1-adrenergic agents as well as TSH in rat FRTL-5 cells. The regulatory effects of the alpha-1-adrenergic agents and TSH on both of these processes are associated with an increase in cytosolic Ca2+ and an increase in that component of iodide efflux that is representative of the movement of iodide from the thyroid cell into the follicular lumen. When FRTL-5 cells are preincubated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) for at least 3 min, the norepinephrine-stimulated changes in cytosolic Ca2+ levels and iodide efflux are inhibited. In contrast, PMA pretreatment has no effect on iodide efflux and actually enhances the changes in cytosolic Ca2+ induced by TSH. Phorbol myristate acetate pretreatment has no effect on TSH-stimulated cAMP-mediated iodide uptake in FRTL-5 cells, nor does it affect the binding parameters of the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor antagonist prazosin. These data suggest that protein kinase C is involved in a feedback mechanism regulating alpha 1-adrenergic but not TSH-induced changes associated with the iodination of thyroglobulin and the formation of thyroid hormones; and that this feedback effect occurs after the step of ligand binding but before the increase in cytosolic Ca2+ induced by the alpha 1-adrenergic agents.     

TWO TYPES OF THYROID FUNCTION-BLOCKING ANTIBODIES IN AUTOIMMUNE ATROPHIC THYROIDITIS AND TRANSIENT NEONATAL HYPOTHYROIDISM DUE TO MATERNAL IgG

We examined the effects of IgG from four patients with autoimmune atrophic thyroiditis on cAMP responses and iodine metabolism (post-receptor processes), using cultured thyroid cells. We found two types of thyroid function-blocking antibodies: (1) one blocks TSH binding to its receptors and inhibits TSH-stimulated cAMP responses but does not block cAMP-stimulated iodine uptake and organification; (2) the other blocks TSH binding to its receptors, inhibits TSH-stimulated cAMP responses and does block cAMP-stimulated iodine uptake and organification (post-receptor processes). Among the four patients with autoimmune atrophic thyroiditis, three had TSH binding blocking antibodies only and one had antibodies which block post-receptor processes. These antibodies might be responsible for thyroid dysfunction in autoimmune atrophic thyroiditis. The daughter of one of the women with autoimmune atrophic thyroiditis had transient neonatal hypothyroidism and recovered spontaneously from the hypothyroid state with the disappearance of the maternal blocking antibodies.     

Mitogenic effects of thyrotropin and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate in differentiated normal human thyroid cells in vitro

Previous studies of human thyroid cells in culture (mostly from pathological tissues) failed to demonstrate a mitogenic effect of TSH, leading to the proposal that the growth effect of TSH in vivo might be indirect. To reexamine the influence of TSH on DNA synthesis and cell proliferation, we established primary cultures of normal thyroid tissue from nine subjects. When seeded in a 1% serum-supplemented medium, thyroid follicles released by collagenase/dispase digestion developed as a cell monolayer that responded to TSH by rounding up and by cytoplasmic retraction. When seeded in serum-free medium, the cells remained associated in dense aggregates surrounded by few slowly spreading cells. In the latter condition, the cells responded to TSH and other stimulators of cAMP production, such as cholera toxin and forskolin, by displaying very high iodide-trapping levels. Exposure to serum irreversibly abolished this differentiated function. TSH stimulated the proliferation (as shown by DNA content per culture dish) of 1% serum cultured cells (doubling times were reduced from 106 to 76 h) and increased by 100% the [3H]thymidine labeling indices. In serum-free cultured cells (dense aggregates or cell monolayers after initial seeding with serum), control levels of DNA synthesis were lower, and up to 8-fold stimulation of DNA synthesis occurred in response to 100 mU/L TSH (stimulation was consistently detected with 20 mU/L), based on measurements of [3H]thymidine incorporation into acid-precipitable material and counts of labeled nuclei on autoradiographs (up to 40% labeled nuclei within 24 h). The mitogenic effect of TSH required a high insulin concentration (8.3 X 10(-7) mol/L) or a low insulin-like growth factor I concentration. The mitogenic effects of TSH were mimicked in part by cholera toxin, forskolin, and dibutyryl cAMP. Epidermal growth factor and phorbol myristate ester also stimulated thyroid cell proliferation and DNA synthesis, but they potently inhibited TSH-stimulated iodide transport. We conclude that TSH, acting at least in part through cAMP, is a potent growth factor for human thyroid cells and thus provide an experimental basis in vitro for the well established in vivo goitrogenic action of TSH.