A microsequencing approach to identify proteins which appear to interact with thyrotropin in rat FRTL-5 thyroid cells

In order to resolve questions concerning the in situ structure of the thyrotropin (TSH) receptor, [35S]methionine-labeled thyroid cell preparations were detergent solubilized and proteins exhibiting TSH-dependent binding to TSH-Sepharose were identified. Two such proteins, 43 and 70 kd, are identified in this report as gamma-actin and a member of the heat shock 70 protein family, respectively, based on the microsequence of two peptides from each. Identification of the former was confirmed by Western blotting and immunostaining using anti-actin, the latter by its ability to bind [32P]ATP, a characteristic feature of this family of proteins. The results suggest that TSH-cross linking reports defining TSH receptor subunits should be viewed with caution in the absence of comparative sequence data; consideration must, however, be given to the existence of receptor associated proteins.

The role of carbohydrate in thyrotropin action assessed by a novel approach using enzymatic deglycosylation

Deglycosylation of thyrotropin (TSH) and gonadotropins by chemical methods virtually abolishes their biological activity without impairing receptor binding activity. Recent reports have suggested that enzymatic deglycosylation, using endoglycosidases caused a much smaller decrease, if any, in the potency of the glycoprotein hormones without altering the Vmax. However, in these studies complete removal of the carbohydrate chains from the hormones was not unequivocally documented. We have prepared completely deglycosylated bovine TSH by endoglycosidase F digestion of its subunits, which were more readily deglycosylated than the intact hormone. The deglycosylated subunits were separated from any incompletely digested subunits by concanavalin A affinity chromatography. Carbohydrate compositional analysis, using a highly sensitive pulsed amperometric detection method coupled to ion-exchange high performance liquid chromatography, was performed to ascertain the complete removal of the glycan moieties from the subunits. The deglycosylated subunits thus prepared were recombined to obtain deglycosylated TSH dimer. Receptor binding activity of bTSH was minimally affected by the carbohydrate removal. In an in vitro bioassay using stimulation of cyclic AMP production in FRTL-5 cells, deglycosylated bTSH showed reduced activity with a potency 5-10-fold lower than that of control, although the Vmax remained unaltered. In contrast, the deglycosylated bTSH showed a reduction in Vmax, when assayed for its adenylyl cyclase stimulating activity in bovine thyroid membranes. Previous reports using chemical methods have apparently overestimated the effects of deglycosylation, probably because of altered protein conformation, while those using endoglycosidases have apparently underestimated these effects, probably because of incomplete deglycosylation.

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.

The distinct roles of alpha- and beta-subunits of human thyrotropin in the receptor-binding and postreceptor events

The roles of alpha- and beta-subunits of human TSH (hTSH) were studied by investigating the inhibitory effects of monoclonal antibodies on the biological activity of hTSH. Four monoclonal antibodies directed toward different epitopes on the beta-subunit (hTSH beta) inhibited completely the receptor binding of hTSH to FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells. In contrast, five monoclonal antibodies directed toward different epitopes on the alpha-subunit had little or no effect on the receptor binding. Furthermore, four of five alpha-subunit-specific antibodies and three of four hTSH-specific antibodies inhibited both hTSH-induced cAMP accumulation and thymidine uptake in FRTL-5 cells, in a dose-response manner. One hTSH (alpha-beta heterodimer)-specific antibody which did not recognize the free subunits also had the inhibitory effect on both the receptor binding and hTSH-induced cAMP accumulation. These results strongly suggest that hTSH beta is indispensable for recognizing the receptors on FRTL-5 cells and that the alpha-subunit is required for signal transduction in postreceptor step(s). In addition, it is also suggested that the highly conformational structure of hTSH is absolutely essential for the biological activity.

Thyrotropin receptor processing and interaction with thyrotropin

In vitro transcription/translation, using rat thyrotropin receptor cDNA, results in the formation of nonglycosylated proteins able to bind thyrotropin, one of which approximates the 87 Kd size predicted for the receptor. In the presence of canine pancreatic microsomal membranes, putative glycosylation sites are modified as evidenced by digestion with endoglycosidase H. Using a deletion mutant, the presence of a hydrophobic peptide after the initiation signal is established as a signal peptide critical to post translational processing by the canine pancreatic membranes but not to binding thyrotropin.

Modification of the adenylate cyclase activity of bovine thyroid plasma membranes by manipulating the ganglioside composition with a nonspecific lipid transfer protein

Gangliosides (GM1, GT1b, GD3) were incorporated in bovine thyroid plasma membranes using the nonspecific lipid transfer protein from beef liver. The transfer of GT1b or GD3 in the presence of 16 units of transfer protein was twice as high as that of GM1. However, taking into account the spontaneous exchange (approximately 8% for GT1b or GD3 and 1% for GM1) the transfer protein seemed to be more effective for GM1. Incorporation of these gangliosides in bovine thyroid plasma membranes caused a concentration dependent inhibition of the TSH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. The forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was not significantly affected by ganglioside modification of the plasma membranes, indicating that the gangliosides do not act at the level of the catalyst of adenylate cyclase. Binding experiments on the other hand revealed that TSH binding to bovine thyroid plasma membranes was inhibited with the same order of efficacy (GT1b greater than GD3 greater than GM1) and to the same extent as their inhibitory effect on TSH stimulation. Therefore, this indicates that the ganglioside induced drop in TSH binding might be an important factor in the decrease in TSH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. Incorporation of GT1b or GD3 (approximately 11 nmol) in bovine thyroid plasma membranes, however, also induced a substantial decrease in cholera toxin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity (approximately 30%) and to a lesser degree a decrease in NaF-stimulated activity (approximately 17%), whereas GM1 incorporation did not significantly affect these stimulated activities. These latter inhibitory effects were paralleled by changes in fluorescence steady-state anisotropy: GT1b modification of the plasma membranes provoked a slight increase in TMA-DPH anisotropy, whereas the anisotropy of DPH was substantially enhanced after incorporation of GD3 or GT1b. These results suggest that gangliosides might also interfere with the coupling between the alpha-subunit of the stimulatory GTP-binding regulatory protein and the catalyst of the adenylate cyclase system by affecting the membrane fluidity.

Heterogeneity of TSH receptor-binding antibodies in Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease

The possible heterogeneity of TSH receptor antibodies in Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) with respect to the binding site on the receptor and corresponding biological effect was studied. Employing an immunoprecipitation assay (IPA), the sera of 80% of the patients with GD (24 out of 30) and 76% of the patients with HT (16 out of 21) contained TSH receptor-binding antibodies, compared to none of the sera from 17 normal volunteers and 8 patients with nontoxic multinodular goiter. TSH inhibited immunoprecipitation by GD and HT sera. In HT sera (n = 9), but not in GD sera (n = 5), heterogeneity of the TSH-induced inhibition was observed. Four HT sera showed complete inhibition of immunoprecipitation at a saturating concentration (19.8 nM) of TSH. Five HT sera, like the 5 GD sera, showed partial inhibition of immunoprecipitation by 19.8 nM TSH. Thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI) were found in four of the five GD sera and in only one of the nine HT sera. The results suggest that different subpopulations of TSH receptor antibodies, characterized by other receptor binding sites or different affinities, are associated with autoimmune thyroid disease.

Maternal thyroid-blocking immunoglobulins in congenital hypothyroidism

We evaluated 24 mothers whose babies had congenital hypothyroidism (CH) for the presence of immunoglobulins (Igs) that inhibited [125I]bovine TSH binding and blocked TSH-induced growth and function of FRTL-5 cells. Results were compared with those from 2 mothers with known primary myxedema (atrophic thyroiditis) whose babies had transient CH and with normal controls. Only 1 prospectively evaluated CH mother had potent TSH binding inhibitory, growth inhibitory, and function inhibitory IgGs. Further study of this discordant mother's serum indicated that she was hypothyroid, probably due to atrophic thyroiditis. Both mothers with known primary myxedema had blocking IgGs. The thyroid growth-blocking activity was verified by cell count, could be absorbed by and eluted from Staphylococcal protein-A, indicating that it was an IgG, and was not an anti-TSH idiotype. Half-maximal inhibition was similar in the three different assays for thyroid-blocking activity, suggesting that TSH binding inhibitory, growth inhibitory, and function inhibitory IgGs in some patients with primary myxedema may be the same antibody population. There was no correlation with the titer of antimicrosomal antibodies. These data suggest that maternal thyroid-blocking IgGs interacting with the TSH receptor do not play a role in most cases of sporadic CH. Determination of TSH binding inhibitory IgGs, but not antimicrosomal antibodies, is a sensitive screening test for the presence of TSH receptor-blocking antibodies.

Epidermal growth factor receptors and adenylate cyclase activity in human thyroid tissues

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) are growth factors for some thyroid cells in cultures. We have previously found more EGF receptors in neoplastic human thyroid tissues than in normal thyroid tissues. We have also found a higher TSH-stimulated adenylate cyclase (AC) activity in neoplastic human thyroid tissues than in normal thyroid tissues. To clarify the relationship between the effect of EGF and TSH on thyroid tissue, we measured the binding of EGF and TSH and the basal, TSH-stimulated and forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in 49 normal, hyperplastic and neoplastic human thyroid tissues (5 normal, 2 Hashimoto thyroiditis, 5 Graves' disease, 14 multinodular goiters, 9 follicular adenomas, 5 follicular carcinomas, 8 papillary carcinomas, and 1 undifferentiated carcinoma). Specific binding of EGF and TSH were measured by radioreceptor assays using competitive inhibition of radio-labeled ligand by unlabeled ligand. Basal, maximally (300 mU/ml) TSH-stimulated, and maximally (100 mM) forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities were also measured in the same membrane particulate fractions from the thyroid tissues. We found: neoplastic thyroid tissues bind more labeled EGF than nonneoplastic thyroid tissues; follicular adenomas and carcinomas have higher EGF binding than other thyroid tissues; a weak but significant correlation between specific EGF binding and specific TSH binding, and between specific EGF binding and TSH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity of the thyroid membrane preparations. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that TSH stimulates an increase in thyroid EGF receptors by increasing intracellular cAMP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

TSH receptors in human thyroid tumours

To evaluate the binding of human TSH (h-TSH) to various human thyroid tumours using radio receptor assay technique, 26 thyroid tumour specimens were examined. Five specimens did not show displacement by stable h-TSH. A wide variation was observed in B0, non specific binding, affinity and capacity of TSH in all the tumours examined. The Scatchard analysis of the binding of h-TSH to thyroid membranes suggested the presence of the receptors in 57.7 per cent (15 of 26, Ka much greater than 10(9)) and more than one component in 46 per cent (12 of 26) of the tumours studied. There was no consistent pattern of the binding of TSH for thyroid tissue with respect to its pathology. However, with 35 pairs of observations log affinity appeared to be linearly related to log capacity with a slope -0.95, intercept 9.96 and r value -0.93.

Cloning of malignantly transformed rat thyroid (FRTL) cells with thyrotropin receptors and their growth inhibition by 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate

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.

Sphingosine interacts directly with the receptor complex to inhibit thyrotropin-releasing hormone binding

Sphingosine inhibition of [3H] [N3-Me-His] TRH (MeTRH) binding, previously shown to be independent of its effects on protein kinase-C, has been further characterized in GH3 cell membranes and in a partially purified, digitonin-solubilized receptor preparation. In membranes, as in intact cells, sphingosine inhibited [3H]MeTRH binding by decreasing receptor affinity, but, in contrast to its effect in intact cells, did not affect the number of available binding sites. The inhibition of binding was linear up to 75 microM sphingosine (in the presence of 100 microM BSA at 0.1 mg membrane protein/ml), yielding an apparent Ki of 51 microM. Since GTP decreases the affinity for MeTRH binding in GH3 cell membranes, we studied interactions between GTP and sphingosine. While the effects of low concentrations of GTP gamma S and sphingosine were additive, sphingosine inhibition of MeTRH binding surpassed and was not affected by the addition of maximally inhibitory concentrations of GTP gamma S. Also, sphingosine (75 microM) did not affect the ability of a maximally effective dose of TRH to stimulate the low Km GTPase (vehicle, +35 +/- 5%; sphingosine, +32 +/- 10%); there was a 25% decrease in total GTPase activity in the presence of sphingosine. MeTRH binding to digitonin-solubilized receptors, which had properties similar to those described previously by others, including no effect of GTP on binding, was inhibited by sphingosine. In solubilized receptors, as in membranes, sphingosine caused a decrease in apparent affinity without changes in the number of binding sites. These data suggest that sphingosine interacts directly with the TRH receptor [or an associated factor(s) in the receptor complex] to decrease affinity by a mechanism that does not involve uncoupling of G-proteins.

Inhibition of thyrotropin binding to receptor by synthetic human thyrotropin beta peptides

In order to study the structure and function relationships of the thyrotropin (TSH)-specific beta-subunit, we produced 11 synthetic overlapping peptides containing the entire 112-amino acid sequence of human beta TSH and tested them for activity in TSH radioreceptor assay using both human and porcine thyroid membranes. Synthetic peptides representing four regions of the beta-subunit demonstrated the ability to inhibit binding of 125I-bovine TSH to crude thyroid membranes. The peptide representing the -COOH terminus of the subunit (beta 101-112) possessed highest binding activity, inhibiting binding of labeled TSH with an EC50 of 80 microM. The remaining active peptides were: beta 71-85 (104 microM), beta 31-45 (186 microM), beta 41-55 (242 microM), and beta 1-15 (331 microM). Specificity of the binding activity was shown by the inability of the peptides representing the remainder of the subunit to inhibit binding of label and by the inability of any of the peptides to inhibit binding of 125I-epidermal growth factor to the same thyroid membranes. The low affinity of the peptides as compared with native hormone is in agreement with previous studies of synthetic alpha-subunit peptides and, further, suggests that the interaction of beta TSH with receptor is multifaceted, requiring cooperative binding of these sites for the observed high affinity of the whole hormone. These studies are in agreement with previous predictions of active regions by chemical modification but add two regions to the list, showing the utility of the synthetic peptide strategy in the study of peptide hormone structure-activity relationships.

Cloning, sequencing and expression of human TSH receptor

Complementary cDNA clones encoding the TSH (thyroid stimulatory hormone) receptor were isolated from a human thyroid lambda gt10 library using Iow stringency hybridization with LH/hCG (luteinizing hormone-human choriogonadotropic hormone) receptor probes. Sequencing of the clones showed a 764 amino acid open reading frame. The first 21 amino acids probably correspond to a signal peptide, the mature protein thus contains 743 amino acids (calculated molecular weight: 84,501 daltons). Its putative structure consists of a 394 amino acid extracellular domain, a 266 amino acid membrane spanning domain with 7 putative transmembrane segments and a 83 amino acid intracellular domain. A high degree of homology is observed with LH/hCG receptor suggesting the definition of a new subfamily of G-protein coupled receptors. Computer search showed the presence in the putative third intracellular loop of a motif resembling that described in the non receptor type protein tyrosine kinases (c-src, c-yes, c-fgr, etc...). RNA blots showed that the receptor messenger RNA consists of two major species of 4300 and 3900 nucleotides. The cDNA was inserted into an expression vector and after transfection into COS 7 cells it was shown to produce a functional TSH receptor.

Cloning, sequencing and expression of the human thyrotropin (TSH) receptor: evidence for binding of autoantibodies

A human thyroid cDNA library was screened by hybridization with a dog thyrotropin receptor (TSHr) cDNA. Sequencing of the resulting clones identified a 2292 residue open reading frame encoding a 744 amino acid mature polypeptide presenting 90.3% similarity with the dog TSHr. Two major transcripts (4.6 and 4.4 kilobases) were identified in the human thyroid which suggests that alternative splicing could generate multiple forms of human TSHr. Transfection of the coding sequence in COS-7 cells conferred to a membrane preparation of these cells the ability to bind specifically TSH. TSH binding was completely displaced by immunoglobulin preparations from patients with idiopathic myxoedema.

TSH binding correlates with TSH-stimulated thyroid adenylate cyclase activity in human thyroid tissues

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulates adenylate cyclase (AC) activity and the growth and differentiation of thyroid cancers of follicular cell origin. Thyroid neoplasms generally have higher TSH-stimulated AC activity than normal thyroid tissue from the same patients. To determine whether differences in TSH receptors could account for the differences in AC activity, we studied the 8000 g membrane particulate fraction from 28 thyroid tissues (10 papillary carcinomas, 6 multinodular goiters, 4 follicular adenomas, 3 follicular carcinomas, 2 Graves, 1 normal, 1 Hürthle cell adenoma, and 1 thyroiditis). TSH receptors were measured by competitive inhibition using radioactive iodine-labeled bovine TSH (125I-bTSH). Maximal binding capacity (Bmax) and dissociation constant (Kd) were calculated by Scatchard analysis. AC activity was measured by the conversion of alpha-[32P]-ATP to [32P]-cAMP in the maximally (300 mU/ml) TSH-stimulated state. The basal and forskolin-stimulated (100 mmol/L) AC activity were also measured, and the ratios to TSH-stimulated AC activity were calculated (TSH/Basal ratio and TSH/Forskolin ratio). We found a strong correlation between the percent specific binding (%SB) of 125I-bTSH and TSH/Basal ratio (r = 0.70, p = 0.0001), between Bmax and the TSH/Basal ratio (r = 0.71, p = 0.001), between %SB and TSH/Forskolin ratio (r = 0.44, p = 0.02), and between Bmax and TSH/Forskolin ratio (r = 0.65, p = 0.0002). This strong correlation between TSH binding and the TSH-stimulated AC activity suggests that in some thyroid neoplasms the higher AC response to TSH may be due to an increased number of TSH receptors.

Decreased anterior pituitary T3 nuclear receptors in a Walker 256 carcinoma-bearing rat model of nonthyroidal disease

Rats bearing the Walker 256 carcinoma have decreased pituitary nuclear T3 but normal pituitary TSH content and response to experimental hypothyroidism. To elucidate further the role of T3 receptor occupancy and biological response in the tumor-bearing rat model of nonthyroidal disease, we measured the concentration of T3 nuclear receptors, rTSH and rGH and beta-TSH mRNA and GH mRNA in the anterior pituitary of euthyroid rats bearing the Walker 256 carcinoma. The abundance of T3 nuclear receptors was decreased in tumor-bearing rats and was associated with a decrease in mRNA content for beta-TSH and GH. alpha-tubulin mRNA was decreased to a comparable degree. The pituitary content of rTSH and rGH was, however, the same as in control animals. Since tumor rats have normal regulation of TSH secretion by thyroid hormone, the present findings suggest that TSH secretion in T rats is maintained by a lower T3 nuclear receptor occupancy than in controls. The decrease in beta-TSH mRNA may precede a decrease in TSH synthesis and changes in pituitary TSH stores. Since the decrease in GH mRNA was comparable to the decrease in alpha-tubulin mRNA, it does not appear to be specifically related to decreased T3 nuclear receptor occupancy. We conclude that, in the tumor-bearing rat model of nonthyroidal disease, decreases in beta-TSH mRNA occur despite a decreased T3 receptor occupancy. Both thyroid-dependent and thyroid-independent factors may be involved in regulating beta-TSH mRNA.

Thyroid functional status and TSH receptors of cold nodular tissue

TSH receptors of plasma membrane fractions of human cold thyroid adenoma and perinodular thyroid tissues (PTT), assumed by pathohistological analysis to be normal, were examined. In perinodular thyroid tissues (PTT) obtained by partial thyroidectomy from twelve euthyroid female patients 125I-TSH binding (as determined by equilibrium binding analysis on particulate plasma membrane preparations) was found to be significantly increased as compared with scintigraphically cold thyroid nodular tissues (CTN). In all examined thyroid tissues Scatchard analysis of TSH binding revealed two kinds of binding sites: these with high affinity showed a significantly increased dissociation constant (Kd1), while these with low affinity showed a decreased dissociation constant (Kd2) in PTT as compared with CTN. The capacity of low affinity binding sites in PTT was found to be decreased in comparison with CTN tissues. These results suggest that the changes in affinity of TSH receptors sites as well as iodine deficiency of thyroid tissues may be an important events in functional status of analysed perinodular and cold nodular thyroid tissues.

Synthesis of thyrotropin-releasing hormone-related peptides using N alpha-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-omega-(N-tert-butyloxycarbonylcarbamoyl)- alpha-amino acids

Application of N alpha,Nca-di-tert-butyloxycarbonylhomoglutamine to synthesis of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) analogs was examined. The delta-lactam formation from homoglutaminylpeptides took place more easily than gamma-lactam formation from glutaminylpeptides in water or dioxane containing acetic acid. [pHgu1,Nva2]-TRH had dose-dependent antagonistic activity against pentobarbital anesthesia in mice, but almost no binding activity to TRH receptor in rat brain.

Slow growth but intense hypertrophy of thyrocytes in long-standing Grave's goitres

In order to evaluate the relative contribution of true cell replication, in comparison to mere cell hypertrophy, to the notoriously slow growth of toxic Graves' goitres persistently exposed to TSH receptor antibodies and requiring continuous thyrostatic treatment for more than one year, we have determined the fraction of dividing cells in 8 such goitres, using the monoclonal antibody Ki-67. This antibody identifies cells in late G1-, S-, G2- and M-phase. The fraction of Ki-67 positive cells ranged from 0.1 to 4.1% with a mean of 2.3 +/- 1.6. The apparently low absolute number of dividing cells is in full accordance with growth rates observed in multinodular goitres and in benign tumours of thyroidal and non-thyroidal origin. It is compatible with continuous, intense growth stimulation of the gland, particularly since thyrocytes may down-regulate their growth response when exposed to chronic stimulation. The observations account for the clinical observation that goitres, and in particular Graves' goitres, may take years to double their total mass of thyrocytes, whereas cell hyperplasia and functional overactivity (if untreated) continue unabated.

[Transmembrane controls in cultured human thyroid carcinoma]

It is well known that many of thyroid carcinoma are capable of responding to TSH, but our studies shown that there are some alteration in this responsiveness. The adenylate cyclase responsiveness to TSH was usually greater in thyroid carcinoma than in adjacent histologically normal thyroid tissue. The level of increased response of adenylate cyclase were correlated with the level of enhanced expression of ras oncogene product p21 assessed by Western blotting analysis. The TSH induced desensitization of adenylate cyclase was not observed in some differentiated carcinoma. This loss of desensitization may be reflect the change in ADP-ribosylable Gi protein. In the differentiated carcinoma, the capacity of EGF receptor was higher than that in normal thyroid. The EGF binding to cultured carcinoma cells did not increase in response to TSH. These altered properties of transmembrane control in human thyroid carcinoma may be related to the neoplastic growth.

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.

Anti-TSH antibodies in Graves' disease and their failure to interact with TSH receptor antibodies

The occasional occurrence in sera of patients with Graves' disease of negative values in the assay for TSH receptor antibodies led to the discovery of endogenous antibodies to TSH. We examined the sera of approximately 2500 patients with Graves' disease. Eight positive sera were found. The IgG in all 8 sera showed higher binding with both bTSH and porcine TSH (pTSH) than with human TSH (hTSH). This means that autoantibodies to TSH in sera from patients with Graves' disease are rare and often directed towards heterologous bovine and porcine TSH. When hTSH levels were determined in sera of hyperthyroid patients with positive antibodies to hTSH, discrepancies in serum hTSH levels were observed when using different assay methods, i.e. hTSH levels were higher with the double-antibody technique, and lower with immunoradiometric assays. Antibodies in these sera showed higher binding to pTSH-alpha subunit than to -beta subunit. The binding of the two pTSH subunits with antibodies could be displaced by intact bTSH. Neither stimulation in Graves' disease nor blocking in primary hypothyroidism of TSH receptor antibodies interfered with the binding of the anti-TSH antibodies to 125I-labelled pTSH, pTSH-alpha, and pTSH-beta. Consequently, using this type of autoantibodies to TSH we were unable to obtain evidence that the TSH receptor antibodies of patients with Graves' disease was an anti-idiotype antibody against anti-TSH antibodies.

Effect of complement binding on a solid-phase immunometric TSH assay

The binding of serum thyrotropin (TSH) to plastic beads coated with a monoclonal antibody to human TSH was inhibited unless EDTA was present during the incubation. The inhibitory factor in serum was heat labile, and its effect could be abrogated by the addition of human albumin-anti-albumin immune complexes. Subsequently it was shown that the antibody-coated beads were able to bind the first component of complement, C1q, and that this binding was inhibited by addition of albumin-anti-albumin complexes. The results show that a surface coated with a monoclonal murine antibody is able to bind complement, and that binding of complement may interfere in solid-phase immunometric assays.

Design of a long-lived thyrotropin antagonist from derivatives of human chorionic gonadotropin

Previous studies have revealed that desialylated forms of hCG have a high potency to inhibit both the binding of bovine TSH (bTSH) to human thyroid membranes and the bTSH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity therein. The biological activities of these desialylated forms, however, are greatly reduced in vivo due to the high affinity of asialo-glycoproteins for hepatic receptors and their consequent rapid clearance from the circulation. Intact purified hCG (hCGp), on the other hand, has little affinity for hepatic receptors and has a relatively long half-life in vivo, but displays only negligible inhibitory potency in the human thyroid. In the present studies, we have sought to obtain one or more compounds derived from hCG that are able to inhibit binding to TSH to the high affinity receptor in human thyroid membranes, and, consequently, could inhibit the stimulatory effect of TSH and Graves' immunoglobulin G and which also display a relatively low affinity for the hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptor and, as a consequence, have a reasonable survival in the circulation. Two hCG forms isolated by sequential chromatography of crude hCG on DEAE-52 and Sephadex G-100 were of interest, since they displayed some degree of selectivity in binding to thyroid and liver receptors. The first form (hCGv), whose isolation we described previously, was comprised of partially desialylated variant forms of intact hCG. The second material, as judged from its immunoreactivity, elution behavior on Bio-Gel P-100, and migration during sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, contained a fragment of the beta-subunit (BF), similar to the beta-core fragment described by others. However, BF differed from the beta-core fragment in having a higher sialic acid content. Interestingly, we found that BF as well as the enzymatically desialylated form of BF displayed a much lower affinity for mouse liver receptors than did asialo-hCGp or the free asialo-beta- and asialo-alpha-subunits. Further, the activity of BF to inhibit the binding of [125I]bTSH to human thyroid membranes exceeded that of the desialylated subunits of hCGp as well as that of intact hCGp, but was only exerted at the low affinity binding site and was not accompanied by inhibition of TSH-stimulated adenylate cyclase. In an attempt to shift the locus of BF action from the low to the high affinity TSH receptor, we recombined BF with either an intact alpha-subunit of hCG or an asialo-alpha-subunit. This led to the creation of two novel forms of hCG with properties of the type that we were seeking.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Receptors of the thyroid: the thyrotropin receptor is only the first violinist of a symphony orchestra

A basic reason for undertaking these studies was to further our knowledge of the structure and function of the TSH receptor as well as its interaction with other receptors on thyroid cells. The multiplicity of observations suggests the approach is bearing fruit, does not provide a simple answer, and can have pitfalls. We hope they may also contribute to understanding the structure and function of autoantigens in Graves' disease and glycoprotein hormone receptors in general. The authors are grateful to their collaborators in the National Dental Institute, particularly Drs. Bellur Prabhakar, Edward Oates, and Abner Notkins, in the National Cancer Institute, Drs. W. O. McBride and M. Lerman for their contributions to the cloning studies.

Influence of lithium carbonate on the thyrotropin receptor in vitro

Thyroid tissues excised from 5 patients with Graves' disease were used to study the influence of lithium carbonate on the thyrotropin (TSH) receptor in vitro by cAMP generation assay and TSH binding to its receptor. Lithium carbonate was able to decrease the cAMP production of the crude thyroid plasma membranes stimulated by TSH at concentrations of 6mM and higher. However, lithium carbonate had no effect on 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate-induced cAMP production in thyroid plasma membranes up to concentrations of 10mM. Lithium carbonate was able to decrease the binding of 125I-TSH to crude thyroid plasma membranes at concentrations of 6mM and higher. It decreased the binding of 125I-TSH to solubilized TSH receptor at concentrations of 6mM and higher. These findings suggest that lithium carbonate can influence the TSH receptor in vitro and may be one of the action mechanisms of lithium on the thyroid gland.

Brain and pituitary receptors for thyrotropin-releasing hormone in hypothyroid rats

The effect of hypothyroidism on the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) receptors in several brain regions and pituitary of rats was determined. TRH receptors were labeled with 3H-(3-MeHis2)TRH (3H-MeTRH). Hypothyroidism was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by administering methimazole (0.05% w/v) in drinking water for 32 days. Rats serving as controls were given water without the methimazole. The development of a hypothyroid state was evidenced by significant decreases in colonic temperature, systolic blood pressure, heart rate and serum concentration of triiodothyronine (total T3), thyroxine and T3 uptake (T3U) as compared to control rats. The rate of gain in body weight of methimazole-treated rats was significantly lower than that of control rats. Binding of 3H-MeTRH at 2 nM concentration to membranes prepared from brain regions (striatum, hypothalamus, cortex, midbrain and pons plus medulla) of methimazole-treated and control rats did not differ. However, binding of 3H-MeTRH to pituitary membranes of methimazole-treated rats was significantly lower as compared to the pituitary of control rats. The results indicate that, in the rat, development of hypothyroidism is associated with down-regulation of pituitary TRH receptors but brain receptors remain unaffected.

Transient neonatal hypothyroidism due to transplacental transfer of maternal immunoglobulins that inhibit TSH binding, TSH-induced cAMP increase and cell growth

Transient neonatal hypothyroidism due to transplacental transfer of maternal blocking type TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb) was found in a baby born to a 27-yr-old mother, who had been receiving thyroxine medication for primary myxedema. Maternal IgG inhibited radiolabelled TSH binding to its receptor (TBII), TSH-stimulated thyroid adenylate cyclase (AC) activation (TSII) and TSH-stimulated 3H-thymidine uptake (TGII) in cultured rat thyroid cells (FRTL-5). At birth, the baby's IgG showed similar activities to maternal IgG but all these activities decreased gradually, and disappeared from her serum within 12 weeks of age. In the baby, initially nonvisualized thyroid was clearly visualized on 99 m-Tc thyroid scintigraphy when all these blocking activities disappeared, TSII and TGII being decreased more slowly than TBII, and the baby remained euthyroid after discontinuation of thyroxine. This study suggests that such IgGs induced hypothyroidism and thyroid atrophy in the mother and were responsible for transient neonatal hypothyroidism in the baby.

Monoclonal antibodies to the thyrotropin receptor bind to a 56-kDa subunit of the thyrotropin receptor and show heterogeneous bioactivities

Four monoclonal antibodies to the thyrotropin (TSH) receptor were established by fusing human peripheral lymphocytes of patients from Graves' disease with a human myeloma cell line. Of two antibodies with TSH-binding inhibitory immunoglobulin activity (TBII), one inhibited TSH stimulation of adenylate cyclase and another stimulated adenylate cyclase. These antibodies showed competitive and noncompetitive modes of binding inhibition, respectively. Of the other two antibodies without TBII activity, one stimulated adenylate cyclase and the other inhibited TSH stimulation of adenylate cyclase. Of the two antibodies, which inhibited TSH stimulation of adenylate cyclase, one with TBII activity inhibited stimulation of adenylate cyclase by stimulating antibody with TBII activity, but another without TBII activity inhibited stimulation by both stimulating antibodies with or without TBII activity. These inhibitory antibodies did not influence the stimulation of adenylate cyclase by Forskolin and guanosine 5'-(beta,gamma-imido)triphosphate compounds which are known to affect other parts of the receptor-adenylate cyclase system than the receptor unit. Four antibodies with heterogeneous potencies to the TSH receptor reacted with glycoproteins extracted from thyroid membranes. One stimulating antibody without TBII activity also interacted with the glycolipid fraction of the membrane preparation, and the binding decreased after desialylation or deglycosylation of the membrane components. In order to identify the binding sites of these monoclonal antibodies, receptor proteins interacting with antibodies were visualized by Western blot analysis and by the label transfer cross-linking method. All of these antibodies with different characteristics reacted with a 56-kDa molecule.

Blocking anti-thyrotropin receptor antibodies desensitize cultured human thyroid cells

Stimulating anti-TSH receptor antibodies (TSAb) mimic TSH in the induction of refractoriness in cultured thyroid cells; TSAb and TSH desensitize one another. We investigated whether blocking anti-TSH receptor antibodies (TBkAb) have the same desensitizing effects in cultured human thyroid cells. Prolonged exposure of cells (20 h) to TBkAb followed by antigen-antibody dissociation by an acid wash step was required to induce refractoriness to subsequent stimulation of cAMP accumulation with TSH and TSAb. Cycloheximide prevented this desensitization effect. The cAMP response to forskolin was not reduced in cells pretreated by TBkAb and was increased in cells desensitized by TSH or TSAb. The pattern of the TSH dose-response curves suggested that desensitization by TSH or TSAb involved only a postreceptor mechanism but both receptor and postreceptor phenomena in the case of TBkAb. In conclusion, like TSH or TSAb, TBkAb may induce a homologous desensitization in human thyroid cells which is not mediated by cAMP.

The effects of transforming growth factor-beta on growth and differentiation of the continuous rat thyroid follicular cell line, FRTL-5

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) has been shown to influence the growth and differentiation of many widely varied cell types in vitro, including some that are endocrinologically active. We have investigated the previously unknown effects of this unique growth factor in the differentiated rat thyroid follicular cell line FRTL-5. The cells demonstrated specific, high affinity binding of TGF beta, and as with other epithelial cells, the growth of these thyroid follicular cells was potently inhibited by addition of TGF beta to the culture medium. TGF beta caused a significant reduction in TSH-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity in the cells. The addition of (Bu)2cAMP along with the growth factor to cultures partially reversed the characteristic morphological changes seen with TGF beta, but did not reverse the growth inhibition. To further investigate the possible mechanisms of the effects of TGF beta on the cells, we measured the influence of the growth factor on [125I]TSH binding. TGF beta did not compete for specific TSH-binding sites; however, exposure of the cells to TGF beta for 12 or more h resulted in a dose-dependent down-regulation of TSH receptors that was fully reversible. While cellular proliferation was potently inhibited by TGF beta, differentiated function, as manifest by iodine-trapping ability, was stimulated by the growth factor. This stimulation of iodine uptake was independent of, and additive to, the stimulatory effects of TSH. Finally, FRTL-5 cells in serum-free medium and in response to TSH were shown to secrete TGF beta-like activity that competed for [125I]TGF beta in a RRA. These studies suggest that TGF beta may represent an autocrine mechanism of controlling the growth response to TSH in thyroid follicular cells, while allowing the continuance of differentiated function.

Evidence that partially desialylated variants of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are the factors in crude hCG that inhibit the response to thyrotropin in human thyroid membranes

Previous studies have revealed that pure unmodified hCG (hCGp) has little potency to inhibit the binding of bovine TSH (bTSH) to human thyroid membranes and to either stimulate adenylate cyclase or inhibit TSH-stimulated adenylate cyclase therein. On the other hand, preparations of crude hCG (hCGc) as well as enzymatically desialylated hCGp (asialo-hCGp) are relatively potent inhibitors of bTSH binding (TBI activity) and bTSH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in human thyroid membrane preparations. In the present studies we have sought to identify and characterize the inhibitory moieties in crude hCG that are responsible for these inhibitory activities and to elucidate the properties of their interaction with the TSH receptor in human thyroid membranes. Preparations of hCGc were processed by DEAE-52 chromatography; this separated components of interest, which were not adsorbed, from intact hCGp, which was adsorbed to the column. The former were then subjected to gel filtration on Sephadex G-100, and the earliest eluting fractions, which proved to have the greatest TBI activity, were pooled, rechromatographed, and designated as variant hCG (hCGv). Three different preparations of hCGv were studied. All displayed a lower sialic acid content, by about half, than that in hCGp. Though their potencies varied somewhat, all had significant TBI activity, which was less than that of asialo-hCGp, but more than that of hCGc. Saturation studies revealed that the TBI activities of hCGv and asialo-hCGp were due to a competitive inhibition of bTSH binding at both the high and low affinity bTSH-binding sites, whereas the inhibitory activity of hCGc was exerted primarily at the low affinity binding site. Preparations of hCGv were also capable of inhibiting the adenylate cyclase response to TSH in human thyroid membranes, and Lineweaver-Burk analysis revealed this inhibition to be competitive in nature. As with its TBI activity, the potency of hCGv to inhibit the adenylate cyclase response was intermediate between that of asialo-hCGp and hCGc. Among the three batches of hCGv, their inhibitory effects on bTSH binding and adenylate cyclase activation appeared to vary inversely with with their sialic acid content. Enzymatic desialylation of hCGv increased its potency to that of asialo-hCGp. Several lines of evidence, as follows, indicate that the moieties that comprise hCGv are modified forms of hCGp itself. 1) On a unit weight basis, hCGv was at least as potent as hCGp in its ability to inhibit the binding of [125I]hCG to rat testicular membranes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Light microscopic immunocytochemical demonstration of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptors on normal rat thyroid cells

We present a method for immunohistochemical demonstration of surface-associated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptors on direct imprints of rat thyroid follicular cells at the light microscopic level, by use of dinitrophenyl (DNP)-labeled bovine TSH as the primary probe in a DNP-hapten sandwich staining (DHSS) procedure. The light microscopically invisible diaminobenzidine (DAB) product of the enzyme reaction was amplified with a DAB enhancement technique (silver amplification), which yielded a reliable and distinct light microscopically visible cell surface staining. The consistently negative control results after inhibition with TSH receptor-specific reagents provide evidence in support of immunohistochemical localization of surface membrane-associated TSH receptors.

Monoclonal antibody approach to the relationship between immunological structure and biological activity of thyrotropin

In order to locate the domains involved in the biological activity of TSH and to get some insight in the relationship between immunological and biological properties of TSH, 24 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to 11 different antigenic regions of hTSH were tested for both binding to hTSH and inhibition of hTSH stimulation of adenylate cyclase in human thyroid membranes. These mAb were also investigated for binding to bovine TSH (bTSH), and interference with bTSH binding to the receptor and stimulation of adenylate cyclase. Radioiodinated human TSH (hTSH) was incubated with increasing concentrations of mAb. Maximum hTSH binding by the various mAb ranged from 15-75% and was not related to the apparent affinity of the mAb for hTSH. Maximum inhibition by the mAb of hTSH stimulation of adenylate cyclase ranged from 3-92%. As compared to the antigenic map of hTSH, it was observed that mAb reacting with the same antigenic regions might display varying inhibition of hTSH. Nevertheless, it was clearly shown that the most potent inhibitors of hTSH stimulatory activity interacted with epitopes located on the alpha- and beta-subunits or expressed only by holo hTSH. Only 11 of the 24 mAb cross-reacted significantly with bTSH. Seven exhibited the same inhibition of hTSH and bTSH stimulatory activity; the four remaining mAb rather than to inhibit adenylate cyclase stimulation as observed with hTSH, did not interfere or even increased adenylate cyclase stimulation by bTSH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The effects of synthetic alpha-subunit peptides on thyrotropin interaction with its receptor

Synthetic peptides of the alpha-subunit of human glycoprotein hormones have been shown previously to inhibit binding of [125I]iodo-hCG to ovarian membranes, thus indicating the importance of the alpha-subunit in the structure-function relationships of the gonadotropic hormone. These same synthetic alpha-subunit peptides, the sequences of which are common to all human glycoprotein hormones, were found to inhibit the binding of [125I]iodo-TSH to human thyroid membrane preparations and FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells. The active portions of the subunit were represented in synthetic peptides alpha 21-35, alpha 31-45, alpha 26-46, and alpha 81-92, indicating that 2 separate sites within the alpha-subunit have binding activity for TSH. Peptides alpha 26-46 and alpha 31-45 were also found to potently inhibit the stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity by bovine TSH in TSH bioassay using FRTL-5 cells. Seven other synthetic peptides, including the remainder of the 92-amino acid sequence of the alpha-subunit, demonstrated little or no ability to inhibit binding of the tracer or inhibit the bioactivity of intact TSH. The findings were very similar to those of previous studies involving hCG binding, except that the two active sites appeared to be somewhat shifted towards the COOH-terminal end of the subunit. These studies support the concept of the importance of the alpha-subunit in receptor binding of all glycoprotein hormones and demonstrate the utility of the overlapping synthetic peptide strategy in investigations of protein structure-function relationships.

Difference in species specificity of TSH receptor antibodies in Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis

TSH receptor antibodies have been detected in the sera of patients with Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). Since non-human thyroid tissue fractions or cells are used in the majority of assays, the species specificity of TSH receptor antibodies in GD or HT could be important. The species specificity was evaluated by means of an immunoprecipitation assay (IPA) using Triton X-100 solubilized TSH receptors prepared from human, porcine and rat thyroid as well as guinea pig fat cells (GPFC). In each assay the majority (4 or 5) of the 6 patients with GD were IPA-positive. In contrast, 9 out of 11 patients (82%) with HT had a positive human and rat IPA, while only 3 out of 11 (27% p less than 0.05) sera were positive in the porcine and GPFC assays.

CONCLUSIONS

no species specificity of TSH receptor antibodies was detected for patients with GD; a selective species specificity for human and rat TSH receptors was found for HT sera. This suggests that TSH receptor antibodies in HT either recognize different determinants on the receptor than the antibodies in GD or are of lower affinity. Furthermore, the use of porcine thyroid tissue or GPFC may lead to an underestimation of the presence and level of TSH receptor antibodies in patients with HT.

Purification of TSH receptor from porcine thyroid membrane and effect of various protease inhibitors on receptor stability

Purification of porcine thyroid TSH receptors was attempted by using Lubrol, TSH-Sepharose, gel filtration and the immunoabsorption by anti-thyroglobulin (Tg) antibody-Sepharose. The effects of microbial protease inhibitors on the degradation of TSH receptors were also evaluated. Porcine thyroid membrane was solubilized with 1% Lubrol-PX and TSH receptors were purified by TSH affinity chromatography, followed by gel filtration on TSKgel-G3000SW. A partial purification was achieved; a 692-fold purification and 49.3% recovery of high affinity binding site and a 409-fold purification and 29.1% recovery of low affinity binding site, respectively. Rechromatography on G3000SW gel and immunoabsorption by anti-Tg antibody-Sepharose resulted in further reduction of contaminants. Among 10 protease inhibitors studied, a low concentration of chymostatin was the only one that showed a significant protective effect on the degradation of the receptors (p less than 0.05).

Autoradiographical evidence for increased thyrotropin binding to autonomously functioning thyroid gland tissue

The aim of this study was to quantify thyrotropin (TSH) binding to individual cells from autonomously functioning thyroid gland tissue (AFTT) in comparison with the corresponding non-autonomous cells. Cryostatic tissue sections from ten thyroid glands with autonomously functioning adenomas were incubated in 125I-labeled TSH. TSH-binding density (TBD) was visualized by means of autoradiography and quantified by means of reflection photometry. Eight out of ten specimens showed a significant (p less than 0.001), up to tenfold increase in TBD of AFTT cells. All ten specimens had a significantly increased number of TSH molecules bound per thyrocyte in comparison both with the corresponding non-autonomous cells and also with tissues from non-functioning thyroid neoplasms (n = 6). The increased TBD of AFTT persisted after transplantation onto nude mice. The paranodular tissue from thyroid glands with scintigraphically compensated adenomas showed in four out of six cases an increased TBD when compared with normal thyroid tissue. It can be concluded that AFTT possesses distinct cytoplasm membrane characteristics as evinced by TSH binding analysis. Increased TSH binding should be considered as a possible cause of metabolic hyperactivity of AFTT cells. The concomitant existence of functional autonomy in the paranodular tissue might lead to a false supposition of a compensated autonomous adenoma as revealed by scintigraphical evidence.

Comparison of thyroid stimulating activities measured by cyclic AMP production, those by radioiodine uptake in FRTL-5 cells and TSH-binding inhibitory activities in patients with hyperthyroid and euthyroid Graves' diseases

By using an assay measuring cAMP production in FRTL-5 thyroid cells, thyroid stimulating antibodies (TSab) were detected in all of 15 patients with euthyroid Graves' disease (EG) and of 26 patients with hyperthyroid Graves' disease (HG). There was no significant difference between TSab activities in EG and in HG. In an effort to elucidate why EG patients remain euthyroid in spite of having TSab, we investigated the effect of the patient's crude immunoglobulin fractions on 125I uptake in FRTL-5 thyroid cells, one of the indices of stimulation subsequent to cAMP production. The 125I uptake stimulating (IUS) activity was positive in 46.7% (7/15) of EG patients and 88.5% (23/26) of HG patients, being significantly lower in the former than in the latter (P less than 0.02). Although the IUS activities significantly correlated with TSab activities in 41 patients with EG and HG (r = 0.784, P less than 0.001), the ratio of IUS to TSab in EG tended to be lower than that in HG. TSH-binding inhibitor immunoglobulins (TBII) activities in EG patients were negative or weakly positive, being significantly lower than those in HG patients (P less than 0.001). Thus, the ratios of TBII to both TSab and IUS activities were significantly higher in HG than in EG (P less than 0.01, P less than 0.001, respectively). The in vitro IUS activities also correlated with TBII activities (r = 0.441, P less than 0.001) and in vivo 99mTc thyroid uptake (r = 0.401, P less than 0.001) in both EG and HG patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Properties of thyrotropin (TSH) binding to plasma membranes prepared from rat fat tissues

Rat fat membranes were prepared from male Sprague-Dawley rats. At 37 degrees C, TSH binding to rat fat membranes was rapid and unstable, although the binding reached a steady state after 2 hr and unchanged up to 24 hr at 4 degrees C. The binding to rat fat membranes was significantly inhibited by 50 mM NaCl and almost completely inhibited by 150 mM NaCl. TSH binding to rat fat membranes was not affected by 10 mM dithiothreitol (DTT) or 1 mM diamide although the binding to human thyroid membranes was inhibited by 10 mM DTT significantly. Conventional Scatchard analysis revealed a single class of binding site which had lower Ka value (2.6 X 10(8) M-1) than that of high affinity binding site of human thyroid membranes (9.3 X 10(8) M-1). Immunoglobulin G (IgG) from patients with Graves' disease inhibited the binding of TSH to rat fat membranes. A significant correlation was observed between the inhibiting activity of Graves' IgG measured with rat fat and human thyroid membranes (r = 0.82, p less than 0.01). In conclusion, TSH receptors on rat fat membranes were not identical to those on human thyroid membranes, but TSH receptor antibodies crossreacted with TSH receptors in rat fat tissue.

The role of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate in the regulation of receptors for thyrotropin and insulin-like growth factor I in the FRTL5 rat thyroid follicular cell

Although regulatory effects on their own receptors are among the major responses to peptide hormones and growth factors, little is known of the mechanism of these effects. For example, a wealth of evidence indicates that cAMP is the mediator of many, if not most, of the actions of TSH on the growth and function of the thyroid cell, but evidently no information has been available concerning the possibility that cAMP may also mediate the effect of TSH to down-regulate its own receptors. Therefore, we examined this question using FRTL5 cells as a model, since we had previously shown that withdrawal of TSH from their culture medium and its subsequent readdition lead to increases and decreases, respectively, in the number of their TSH receptors. Because the growth of FRTL5 cells in response to TSH is modified by insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), we also examined the independent effect of TSH on receptors for IGF-I, the effects of IGF-I alone on both its own receptors and those for TSH, the effects of the two agents when added together, and the role of cAMP in the independent and conjoint effects of TSH and IGF-I on their own and each other's receptors. Growth of FRTL5 cells in the presence of bovine TSH (bTSH) resulted in a dose-dependent down-regulation of receptors for both bTSH and IGF-I. In contrast, IGF-I alone produced only a modest down-regulation of its own receptors and had no effect on the binding of bTSH. IGF-I did, however, enhance the effect of bTSH on the binding of both ligands. All of the foregoing down-regulatory effects of bTSH, acting both alone and together with IGF-I, were closely mimicked when either (Bu)2cAMP or forskolin was substituted for bTSH. Therefore, cAMP appears to mediate, at least in part, the effects of both bTSH alone and bTSH acting in concert with IGF-I to down-regulate receptors for both mitogens.

Probing the receptor-interaction of glycoprotein hormones with monoclonal antibodies

Having recently analyzed with monoclonal antibodies (MCA) the immunologic surface of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) as consisting of 9 distinct epitopes exposed on the molecule in a characteristic topographical manner (Schwarz, S., Berger, P., and Wick, G., Endocrinology 118, 189-197, 1986) we now attempted to confirm this result on a more general basis, e.g. by incorporating MCA that were just recently obtained and previously not included. What we were, however, interested most was the question whether the tentative model of the epitope map of hCG could represent a "target" with which hCG-related hormones such as LH, FSH, and TSH (the family of glycoprotein hormones, GPH) would (partially) match. Indeed, repeating various immunizations with GPH of human as well as animal origin revealed a remarkable reproducibility in terms of several anticipated epitope specificities of MCA. This indicates that MCA can be regarded as reliable probes for mapping epitopes and, as we have presumed, of receptor interaction domains of GPH as well. Extending the originally used 2-site MCA binding exclusion approach by an interspecies crossreactivity (Xr) analysis we now are able to refine our epitope model of hCG such that 2 additional epitopes were found which were not previously resolvable. Most surprisingly, two of 5 epitopes on the alpha subunit were now also detected on various non-human GPH, which is in striking contrast to a seemingly well established dogma. Yet all five alpha epitopes of hCG are present on hLH, hFSH, and hTSH as well and arranged in the same spatial relationship to each other as on hCG. Even the 2 conformational epitopes and their close topographical relationship to the alpha-epitopes appear to be remarkably conserved on all human GPH. Among the beta-epitopes we have found one that is not shared by hLH and that - surprisingly - is not the C-terminal peptide (CTP) by which hLH differs from hCG. On the basis of this refined epitope map a way was paved along which it should be feasible to elucidate the sterical relationship of the epitopes to the receptor interaction domain(s) of hCG. To this end the MCA were tested in principally two ways: first, as to which of the 11 MCA with different epitope specificities would be able (or not) to inhibit by preincubation the binding of radiolabeled hCG (or hLH, respectively) to rat testis LH/hCG receptors? Secondly (and inversely) which of the 11 epitopes of hCG would still be accessible to binding by radiolabeled MCA when the (unlabeled) hormone is bound to the receptor?(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Antibodies that block stimulation by TSH or TSAb of thyroid hormone secretion in primary hypothyroidism

Antibodies that inhibit the stimulation of the thyroid by TSH have been studied in 63 patients with primary hypothyroidism of whom 34 had thyroid atrophy and 29 goitrous Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The method used measured the secretion of tri-iodothyronine (T3) from porcine thyroid slices incubated in vitro. The aims of the study were to assess the frequency and clinical correlates of blocking antibodies in an unselected series of patients, to establish their IgG nature and to examine their action in relation to the TSH receptor. Blocking antibodies were found in 25% of patients and occurred in association with both atrophic (32%) and goitrous (17%) hypothyroidism. These antibodies did not bind TSH (with one exception) nor did they inhibit binding of TSH to its receptor (also with one exception). Blocking-antibody activity was abolished by treatment of the serum with anti-hIgG or with protein A, and the activity was purified from serum by affinity chromatography on protein A sepharose-4B, thus establishing the IgG nature of the antibodies. The stimulation of T3 secretion by thyroid-stimulating antibodies was also blocked and in one case, where IgG did not block stimulation by bTSH, stimulation by hTSH was blocked. Antibodies blocking the action of TSH probably represent an important mechanism in the pathogenesis of primary hypothyroidism in some patients.

Receptors for epidermal growth factor and thyrotropin in thyroid carcinoma

The EGF and TSH receptor properties in malignant thyroid tumours and adjacent normal thyroid tissues were characterized using radioreceptor assays. Ten patients with papillary, 4 with medullary, 1 with Hürthle cell type follicular carcinoma, and 2 with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma were studied. In 10 out of 12 patients with papillary and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas, more EGF receptors were found in the neoplastic tissue than in the adjacent normal tissue (P less than 0.01). The affinity of the EGF receptors varied between patients (from 0.5 X 10(9) l/mol to 1.9 X 10(9) l/mol), but was in each patient the same in the neoplastic and in the normal tissue. In medullary carcinomas and a follicular Hürthle thyroid carcinoma, the EGF receptor content was very low. The receptor number was unaltered or decreased in papillary carcinomas when compared with adjacent normal tissue. In anaplastic medullary and follicular (Hürthle cell) carcinomas, the neoplastic tissue had very few high affinity TSH receptor sites. The alterations in TSH receptor characteristics when thyroid neoplastic tissue was compared with adjacent normal tissue did not correlate to changes in EGF receptor characteristics. Our results demonstrate that the amount of EGF receptors in papillary and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas differ significantly from that in follicular and medullary carcinomas and that alterations in EGF receptor content in malignant thyroid tissues are independent of TSH receptor content.