Interferon-gamma reduces the thyroid peroxidase content of cultured human thyrocytes and inhibits its increase induced by thyrotropin.

To clarify the role of interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) in autoimmune thyroid diseases, we investigated the effects of IFN gamma on the content of thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and the expression of HLA-DR antigens in cultured normal human thyrocytes. The effect of TSH on the action of IFN gamma was investigated. Immunofluorescence staining and photometric analysis showed that IFN gamma not only induced the expression of DR antigen, but also reduced the content of TPO in a concentration-dependent manner. The addition of TSH increased the content of TPO and enhanced the IFN gamma-induced expression of DR antigen. IFN gamma also inhibited the increase in TPO content induced by TSH. Thus, complex interactions appear to exist between IFN gamma and TSH or thyroid-stimulating antibodies in the modulation of hormone secretion and autoimmune phenomena in the thyroid.     

Interferon-gamma down-regulates claudin-1 and impairs the epithelial barrier function in primary cultured human thyrocytes

OBJECTIVE: Proinflammatory cytokines are known to affect the follicular epithelium in autoimmune thyroid disease. Here we investigated the effect of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on the barrier function of primary cultured human thyrocytes. DESIGN: Graves' thyroid follicle segments were cultured as a tight and polarised monolayer on the filter of a bicameral chamber, thereby allowing the in vivo epithelial characteristics to be maintained. METHODS: Transepithelial electrical resistance was measured with a Millicell ERS ohmmeter. The tight junction proteins claudin-1 and occludin were analysed by immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Cell morphology was studied by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Thyrotrophin (TSH; 1 mU/ml) promoted the development of a tight epithelium monitored as a persistent increase in the transepithelial resistance to about 800 omega x cm2. IFN-gamma (100 U/ml), on the other hand, decreased the resistance to 60-150 omega x cm2 after 48 h. In IFN-gamma-treated cells the expression of claudin-1, but not that of occludin, was decreased along with a diminished intracellular and cell surface immunostaining. In addition, claudin-1 was disrupted at cell-cell contacts. IFN-gamma also caused profound cell shape changes and a multilayered cellular organisation, without ultrastructural or biochemical (caspase-3 activity) signs of cytotoxicity. TSH was unable to counteract the effects of IFN-gamma. CONCLUSIONS: IFN-gamma destroys the barrier function of filter-cultured human thyroid epithelial cells. The loss of barrier involves down-regulation and an altered distribution of claudin-1. This novel effect of IFN-gamma on target cells in thyroid autoimmunity might be of pathophysiological relevance to the exposure of hidden autoantigens.     

Effects of epidermal growth factor on thyroglobulin and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate production by cultured human thyrocytes

While several workers have identified epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors on human thyroid membranes, very few reports have described EGF effects on intact human thyroid cells in primary culture, and these were short term studies indicating that EGF effects were primarily inhibitory [reduced iodide uptake and thyroglobulin (Tg), T4, and T3 release]. Paradoxically, in vivo EGF stimulates thyroid growth and increases colloid stores. In this study we examined the effects of EGF on cultured thyroid cells in regard to thymidine incorporation, Tg secretion, and cAMP production during a 12-day period. Addition of EGF (0-30 ng/mL) to medium for 6 or 12 days stimulated thymidine incorporation and enhanced Tg synthesis by thyroid cells. However, the profile of Tg release into medium was biphasic. Tg release was inhibited by EGF (0.1-10 ng/mL) during the first 3 days of culture, but the inhibitory effect disappeared by the sixth day, and EGF stimulated Tg release by day 12 and thereafter. EGF enhanced endogenous cAMP levels in thyroid cells, but did not augment TSH-stimulated increases in cAMP production. Our observations of EGF-stimulated growth and inhibited Tg secretion during short term culture are consistent with the findings of earlier studies with nonhuman thyrocytes. However, the later phase of enhanced cAMP levels with stimulation of Tg secretion indicates that EGF may have trophic effects on thyrocytes previously unrecognized because of the short term nature of the studies. These observations suggest an important role for EGF in maintenance of normal thyroid physiology.     

碘对人甲状腺细胞凋亡的影响

目的：研究碘对人甲状腺细胞亡的影响,探讨其在甲状腺疾病发病机制中的作用和意义。方法：分别以不同浓度Nal刺激单层培养的人正常甲状腺上皮细胞,采用流式细胞术,Western印迹和半定量RT－PCR等方法分别检测刺激前后细胞凋亡率,凋亡相关蛋白Fas,Bcl-2和Bak以及Fas,可溶性Fas(sFas)mRNA表达的变化。并以ELISA法检测细胞培养液中sFas的含量。结果：（1）低浓度NaI(10^-8mol/L)明显抑制细胞凋亡（P＜0．05）,中,高浓度（10^-6-10^-4mol/L)时显著增加细胞凋亡（P＜0．05）;（2）低浓度NaI显著促进sFas蛋白及mRNA的表达（P＜．05）,不影响Fas蛋白及mRNA的表达;（3）中、高浓度NaI则明显增加Fas蛋白及mRNA表达,但抑制sFas蛋白及mRNA表达（P＜0．05）;（4）在10^-8-10^-4mol/L浓度范围内,NaI剂量依赖性地抑制甲状腺上皮细胞表达Bcl-2蛋白,但显著增加Bak蛋白的表达（P＜0．05）,结论：碘可通过调节Fas,sFas,Bcl-2及Bak的表达,影响甲状腺细胞凋亡的发生,其中低浓度碘可抑制凋亡,而中,高浓度碘则促进细胞凋亡。     

Methimazole inhibits CXC chemokine ligand 10 secretion in human thyrocytes

CXC chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) plays a pivotal role in the self-perpetuation of the inflammatory processes in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease. Treatment with methimazole (MMI) reduces serum CXCL10 in patients with Graves' disease. In isolated human thyrocytes, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)alpha demonstrates a potent synergistic effect on interferon (IFN)gamma-induced CXCL10 secretion. We investigated the mechanism underlying the synergism between IFNgamma and TNFalpha and the effect of MMI on CXCL10 secretion in human thyrocytes. A peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonist, rosiglitazone (RGZ), a known inhibitor of T helper 1 (Th1)-mediated responses, was also studied for comparison. Experiments were carried out in human thyrocytes isolated from internodular parenchyma of thyroid tissues derived from patients who had undergone surgery for multinodular goiter. ELISA was used to measure CXCL10 levels in culture supernatant. Flow cytometry was used to assess IFNgamma membrane receptor expression. Specific mRNA analysis was performed by Taqman real-time PCR. Immunofluorescence was performed to detect nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). In human thyrocytes, the synergistic effect of TNFalpha with IFNgamma on CXCL10 secretion is due to the upregulation of IFNgamma receptor expression. MMI decreased cytokine-induced CXCL10 secretion by reducing TNFalpha-induced upregulation of the IFNgamma receptor. RGZ decreased the cytokine-induced CXCL10 secretion by impairing NF-kappaB translocation, without affecting IFNgamma receptor. MMI and RGZ targeted thyrocytes with the same pharmacological potency, likely acting throughout different mechanisms. Targeting T helper 1-mediated autoimmune thyroid disease with drugs that impair different intracellular pathways could be a novel pharmacological tool.     

有机碘对人甲状腺细胞分泌细胞因子IL-6和IL-8的影响

目的研究不同浓度的有机碘(DIT)对体外培养的人甲状腺细胞(TEC)分泌细胞因子IL-6和IL-8的影响,并且和无机碘(KI)进行比较,以探讨一种更安全有效的补碘制剂。方法取甲状腺腺瘤旁正常甲状腺组织,应用原代细胞培养技术进行细胞培养,以不同浓度(10-8~10-3mol/L)的DIT和KI刺激单层培养的甲状腺细胞,采用双抗体夹心ELISA法测定各组甲状腺细胞培养上清液中细胞因子IL-6和IL-8的含量。结果正常的甲状腺细胞能分泌少量的IL-6和IL-8。DIT10-6~10-3mol/L浓度组IL-6的分泌量高于正常对照组,10-4mol/L、10-3mol/L浓度组IL-6的分泌量低于同一浓度的KI组;DIT10-5~10-3mol/L浓度组IL-8的分泌量高于正常对照组,10-5mol/L、10-4mol/L、10-3mol/L浓度组IL-8的分泌量低于同一浓度的KI组。在同一浓度上,DIT组IL-6和IL-8的增加程度低于KI组。结论高碘可刺激甲状腺细胞分泌更多的IL-6和IL-8,而有机碘的安全性相对高于无机碘。     

Interferon-gamma reduces actin filaments and inhibits thyroid-stimulating hormone-induced formation of microvilli and pseudopods in mouse monolayer thyrocytes.

To study the role of interferon-gamma (IFN gamma), which is released from activated lymphocytes in the development of lymphocytic thyroiditis, we investigated the effects of IFN gamma on the morphology of mouse thyrocytes, using scanning electron microscopy. Thyrocytes were cultured in monolayers for 5-7 days and incubated with TSH (10 mU/ml) for 1 h before fixation. IFN gamma (200 U/ml) was added to the culture medium for 1 h to 5 days before TSH stimulation. Coculture of thyrocytes with IFN gamma for more than 24 h inhibited TSH-induced morphological changes in the thyrocytes; IFN gamma inhibited the increase in the number of and elongation of microvilli and the appearance of pseudopods. IFN gamma also reduced the number of actin filaments in thyrocytes, as confirmed by immunofluorescence photometry. These results suggest that IFN gamma inhibits the morphological response of thyrocytes to TSH stimulation by the reduction of actin filaments.     

IL-1α对人甲状腺细胞NO的诱生作用及其细胞毒性

白细胞介素1α时间和剂量依赖性刺激培养人甲状腺细胞产生一氧化氮(NO),并使细胞内cGMP含量升高。大量NO对甲状腺细胞有细胞毒作用。     

Thyrotrophin and cyclic AMP regulation of thyroglobulin gene expression in cultured porcine thyroid cells

The effects of thyrotrophin, cholera toxin and 8-chloro-cyclic AMP on thyroglobulin gene expression in cultured porcine thyroid cells were compared. Cells organized either into monolayers in culture chambers with porous bases or into inside-out follicles in suspension were used. Thyroglobulin mRNA content was measured by dot-blot hybridization, and thyroglobulin synthesis rate was determined by immunoprecipitation of [35S]thyroglobulin after 2 h labelling with [35S]methionine. Cholera toxin and 8-chloro-cyclic AMP increased the thyroglobulin mRNA content and thyroglobulin synthesis rate in the same ratio (approximately 3) as did thyrotrophin, showing that cyclic AMP mediates the effect of thyrotrophin on thyroglobulin gene expression. The culture chamber system provides for contact of the effectors with either the apical or the basolateral membrane. The addition of 0.02-0.1 mU thyrotrophin/ml on the basolateral side of the cell layer gave a maximal response whereas this response was not reached on the apical side even with the addition of 5 mU/ml. In contrast, cholera toxin and 8-chloro-cyclic AMP stimulated thyroid cells equally on both sides.     

Thyrotropin-stimulated DNA synthesis and thyroglobulin expression in normal and hyperthyroid feline thyrocytes in monolayer culture.

Feline hyperthyroidism is a common, spontaneous disease in older cats that is similar clinically and histopathologically to human toxic multinodular goiter (TNG). In this study, the functional response of feline normal thyroid (NT) and hyperthyroid (HT) cells grown in monolayer culture to thyrotropin (TSH) was determined. Basal levels of DNA synthesis were similar in NT and HT cells. TSH stimulated concentration-dependent DNA synthesis in NT and HT cells, with maximal stimulation seen at 1 and 10 mU/mL TSH in NT and HT cells, respectively. HT cells had higher basal levels of thyroglobulin (Tg) expression. TSH stimulated Tg expression in NT and HT cells in a concentration-dependent fashion, with maximal activity at 0.5 and 5 mU/mL TSH, respectively. These results demonstrate that NT and HT cells in monolayer culture exhibit growth and functional responses to TSH. HT cells have higher basal Tg expression than NT cells and require higher TSH concentrations to stimulate DNA synthesis and Tg expression, two measures of thyroid cell activation. These data support the idea that feline hyperthyroidism is caused by cell abnormalities, resulting in dysregulated growth and hormone synthesis, and emphasize its importance as an animal model for TNG.     

Glucose inhibits replication of cultured human endothelial cells

Summary Diabetes is an important risk factor for atherosclerosis but the mechanism of the risk is unknown. As endothelial injury is considered to be an early event in the development of atherosclerosis, the effect of glucose on endothelial cell replication was studied. Concentrations of glucose of 11.2, 16.8 and 22.4 mmol/l inhibited DNA synthesis in cultured human umbilical venous endothelial cells by 8.1±10.8, 24.3±8.8 and 30.9±7.4%, respectively. Glucose also inhibited the proliferative response of endothelial cells to experimental wounds in the cell layer. Sorbitol (22.4 mmol/l) inhibited endothelial cell DNA synthesis by 50±13.6%, but mannitol (22.4 mmol/l) inhibited DNA synthesis by only 3±24.3%. It is suggested that in diabetic subjects, high blood glucose levels may cause endothelial injury, or inhibit its repair, and hence allow the exposure of the arterial media to plasma and its constituents.