Metabolism of L-thyroxine by phagocytosing human leukocytes

Thyroid Hormone and Deiodination in Innate Immune Cells

Thyroid hormone has recently been recognized as an important determinant of innate immune cell function. Highly specialized cells of the innate immune system, including neutrophils, monocytes/macrophages, and dendritic cells, are capable of identifying pathogens and initiating an inflammatory response. They can either phagocytose and kill microbes, or recruit other innate or adaptive immune cells to the site of inflammation. Innate immune cells derive from the hematopoietic lineage and are generated in the bone marrow, from where they can be recruited into the blood and tissues in the case of infection. The link between the immune and endocrine systems is increasingly well established, and recent studies have shown that innate immune cells can be seen as important thyroid hormone target cells. Tight regulation of cellular thyroid hormone availability and action is performed by thyroid hormone transporters, receptors, and the deiodinase enzymes. Innate immune cells express all these molecular elements of intracellular thyroid hormone metabolism. Interestingly, there is recent evidence for a causal relationship between cellular thyroid hormone status and innate immune cell function. This review describes the effects of modulation of intracellular thyroid hormone metabolism on innate immune cell function, specifically neutrophils, macrophages, and dendritic cells, with a special focus on the deiodinase enzymes. Although there are insufficient data at this stage for conclusions on the clinical relevance of these findings, thyroid hormone metabolism may partially determine the innate immune response and, by inference, the clinical susceptibility to infections.

Iodine Redistribution During Trauma, Sepsis, and Hibernation: An Evolutionarily Conserved Response to Severe Stress

OBJECTIVE

We performed these studies to learn how iodine in the form of free iodide behaves during stress.

DESIGN

Prospective observational trial using samples obtained from human trauma patients and retrospective observational study using remnant samples from human sepsis patients and arctic ground squirrels. Preclinical interventional study using hind-limb ischemia and reperfusion injury in mice.

SETTING

Level I trauma center emergency room and ICU and animal research laboratories.

SUBJECTS

Adult human sepsis and trauma patients, wild-caught adult arctic ground squirrels, and sexually mature laboratory mice.

INTERVENTIONS

Ischemia and reperfusion injury was induced in mice by temporary application of tourniquet to one hind-limb. Iodide was administered IV just prior to reperfusion.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Free iodide was measured using ion chromatography. Relative to iodide in plasma from normal donors, iodide was increased 17-fold in plasma from trauma patients and 26-fold in plasma from sepsis patients. In arctic ground squirrels, iodide increases over three-fold during hibernation. And during ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice, iodide accumulates in ischemic tissue and reduces both local and systemic tissue damage.

CONCLUSIONS

Iodide redistributes during stress and improves outcome after injury. Essential functions of iodide may have contributed to its evolutionary selection and be useful as a therapeutic intervention for human patients.

Thyroid hormone metabolism in innate immune cells

Thyroid hormone (TH) metabolism and thyroid status have been linked to various aspects of the immune response. There is extensive literature available on the effects of thyroid hormone on innate immune cells. However, only recently have authors begun to study the mechanisms behind these effects and the role of intracellular TH metabolism in innate immune cell function during inflammation. This review provides an overview of the molecular machinery of intracellular TH metabolism present in neutrophils, macrophages and dendritic cells and the role and effects of intracellular TH metabolism in these cells. Circulating TH levels have a profound effect on neutrophil, macrophage and dendritic cell function. In general, increased TH levels result in an amplification of the pro-inflammatory response of these cells. The mechanisms behind these effects include both genomic and non-genomic effects of TH. Besides a pro-inflammatory effect induced by extracellular TH, the cellular response to pro-inflammatory stimuli appears to be dependent on functional intracellular TH metabolism. This is illustrated by the fact that the deiodinase enzymes and in some cell types also thyroid hormone receptors appear to be crucial for adequate innate immune cell function. This overview of the literature suggests that TH metabolism plays an important role in the host defence against infection through the modulation of innate immune cell function.

The Thyroid Hormone Inactivating Enzyme Type 3 Deiodinase is Present in Bactericidal Granules and the Cytoplasm of Human Neutrophils

Neutrophils are important effector cells of the innate immune system. Thyroid hormone (TH) is thought to play an important role in their function. Intracellular TH levels are regulated by the deiodinating enzymes. The TH-inactivating type 3 deiodinase (D3) is expressed in infiltrating murine neutrophils, and D3 knockout mice show impaired bacterial killing upon infection. This suggests that D3 plays an important role in the bacterial killing capacity of neutrophils. The mechanism behind this effect is unknown. We aimed to assess the presence of D3 in human neutrophils, and determine its subcellular localization using confocal and electron microscopy, because this could give important clues about its function in these cells. D3 appeared to be present in the cytoplasm and in myeloperoxidase containing azurophilic granules and as well as lactoferrin containing specific granules within human neutrophils. This subcellular localization did not change upon activation of the cells. D3 is observed intracellularly during neutrophil extracellular trap formation, followed by a reduction of D3 staining after release of the neutrophil extracellular traps into the extracellular space. At the transcriptional level, human neutrophils expressed additional essential elements of TH metabolism, including TH transporters and TH receptors. Here, we demonstrate the presence and subcellular location of D3 in human neutrophils for the first time and propose a model, in which D3 plays a role in the bacterial killing capacity of neutrophils either through generation of iodide for the myeloperoxidase system or through modulation of intracellular TH bioavailability.

Beyond low plasma T3: local thyroid hormone metabolism during inflammation and infection

Decreased serum thyroid hormone concentrations in severely ill patients were first reported in the 1970s, but the functional meaning of the observed changes in thyroid hormone levels, together known as nonthyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS), remains enigmatic. Although the common view was that NTIS results in overall down-regulation of metabolism in order to save energy, recent work has shown a more complex picture. NTIS comprises marked variation in transcriptional and translational activity of genes involved in thyroid hormone metabolism, ranging from inhibition to activation, dependent on the organ or tissue studied. Illness-induced changes in each of these organs appear to be very different during acute or chronic inflammation, adding an additional level of complexity. Organ- and timing-specific changes in the activity of thyroid hormone deiodinating enzymes (deiodinase types 1, 2, and 3) highlight deiodinases as proactive players in the response to illness, whereas the granulocyte is a novel and potentially important cell type involved in NTIS during bacterial infection. Although acute NTIS can be seen as an adaptive response to support the immune response, NTIS may turn disadvantageous when critical illness enters a chronic phase necessitating prolonged life support. For instance, changes in thyroid hormone metabolism in muscle during critical illness may be relevant for the pathogenesis of myopathy associated with prolonged ventilator dependence. This review focuses on NTIS as a timing-related and organ-specific response to illness, occurring independently from the decrease in serum thyroid hormone levels and potentially relevant for disease progression.

Impaired bacterial clearance in type 3 deiodinase-deficient mice infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae

The activation of type 3 deiodinase (D3) has been postulated to play a role in the reduction of thyroid hormone levels during illness. Using a mouse model of acute bacterial infection, we have recently demonstrated marked D3 immunostaining in neutrophils infiltrating infected organs. These observations suggest a possible additional role for this enzyme in the innate immune response. To further assess the role of D3 in the response to acute bacterial infection, we used null D3 [D3 knockout (D3KO)] and wild type (WT) mice and infected them with Streptococcus pneumoniae. Marked reductions in serum thyroid hormone levels were observed both in D3KO and WT mice. Infection resulted also in a decrease in liver D1 activity in WT, but not in infected D3KO mice. Upon infection, pulmonary neutrophilic influx (measured by myeloperoxidase levels) and IL-6 and TNF concentrations increased equally in D3KO and WT mice, and histological examination of infected mice showed similar pulmonary inflammation in both strains. However, D3KO animals demonstrated significantly higher bacterial load in blood, lung, and spleen compared with WT mice. We conclude that 1) D3 is not required to generate the systemic manifestations of the nonthyroidal illness syndrome in this model; 2) the lack of D3 does not affect the extent of pulmonary inflammation; and 3) bacterial outgrowth in blood, spleen, and lung of D3KO mice is significantly higher than in WT mice. Our results suggest a protective role for D3 in the defense against acute bacterial infection, probably by reinforcing the microbial killing capacity of neutrophils.

Type 3 deiodinase is highly expressed in infiltrating neutrophilic granulocytes in response to acute bacterial infection

BACKGROUND

Macrophages and polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) play an important role in the first line of defense against bacteria by infiltrating the infected organ in order to clear the harmful pathogen. Our earlier studies showed that granulocytes express type 3 deiodinase (D3) when activated during a turpentine-induced abscess. We hypothesized that D3 expression by granulocytes may also occur during bacterial infection.

METHODS

In order to test this hypothesis, we used the following experimental infection models: peritonitis induced by Escherichia coli and acute pneumonia induced by Streptococcus pneumoniae.

RESULTS

E. coli-induced peritonitis was characterized by infiltration in the liver by inflammatory cells with abundant immunocytochemical D3 expression while no staining was present in hepatocytes of infected or control mice. Acute pneumonia induced by S. pneumoniae resulted in inflamed lungs characterized by numerous infiltrating granulocytes expressing D3 while no D3 staining was present in lung sections without an infiltrate. Serum thyroid hormones were negatively correlated to bacterial outgrowth in both lung and spleen, and thus to the severity of illness.

CONCLUSION

Infiltrating granulocytes during acute bacterial infection express D3. Our work supports the hypothesis that D3 plays an important role during chemical and bacterial inflammation. Whether the resulting decreased local bioavailability of thyroid hormones or rather the increased local availability of iodide is an important element of the innate immune response remains to be studied.

Alternate pathways of thyroid hormone metabolism

The major thyroid hormone (TH) secreted by the thyroid gland is thyroxine (T(4)). Triiodothyronine (T(3)), formed chiefly by deiodination of T(4), is the active hormone at the nuclear receptor, and it is generally accepted that deiodination is the major pathway regulating T(3) bioavailability in mammalian tissues. The alternate pathways, sulfation and glucuronidation of the phenolic hydroxyl group of iodothyronines, the oxidative deamination and decarboxylation of the alanine side chain to form iodothyroacetic acids, and ether link cleavage provide additional mechanisms for regulating the supply of active hormone. Sulfation may play a general role in regulation of iodothyronine metabolism, since sulfation of T(4) and T(3) markedly accelerates deiodination to the inactive metabolites, reverse triiodothyronine (rT(3)) and T(2). Sulfoconjugation is prominent during intrauterine development, particularly in the precocial species in the last trimester including humans and sheep, where it may serve both to regulate the supply of T(3), via sulfation followed by deiodination, and to facilitate maternal-fetal exchange of sulfated iodothyronines (e.g., 3,3'-diiodothyronine sulfate [T(2)S]). The resulting low serum T(3) may be important for normal fetal development in the late gestation. The possibility that T(2)S or its derivative, transferred from the fetus and appearing in maternal serum or urine, can serve as a marker of fetal thyroid function is being studied. Glucuronidation of TH often precedes biliary-fecal excretion of hormone. In rats, stimulation of glucuronidation by various drugs and toxins may lead to lower T(4) and T(3) levels, provocation of thyrotropin (TSH) secretion, and goiter. In man, drug induced stimulation of glucuronidation is limited to T(4), and does not usually compromise normal thyroid function. However, in hypothyroid subjects, higher doses of TH may be required to maintain euthyroidism when these drugs are given. In addition, glucuronidates and sulfated iodothyronines can be hydrolyzed to their precursors in gastrointestinal tract and various tissues. Thus, these conjugates can serve as a reservoir for biologically active iodothyronines (e.g., T(4), T(3), or T(2)). The acetic acid derivatives of T(4), tetrac and triac, are minor products in normal thyroid physiology. However, triac has a different pattern of receptor affinity than T(3), binding preferentially to the beta receptor. This makes it useful in the treatment of the syndrome of resistance to thyroid hormone action, where the typical mutation affects only the beta receptor. Thus, adequate binding to certain mutated beta receptors can be achieved without excessive stimulation of alpha receptors, which predominate in the heart. Ether link cleavage of TH is also a minor pathway in normal subjects. However, this pathway may become important during infections, when augmented TH breakdown by ether-link cleavage (ELC) may assist in bactericidal activity. There is a recent claim that decarboxylated derivates of thyronines, that is, monoiodothyronamine (T(1)am) and thyronamine (T(0)am), may be biologically important and have actions different from those of TH. Further information on these interesting derivatives is awaited.

Myeloperoxidase: friend and foe

Neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocytes (neutrophils) are highly specialized for their primary function, the phagocytosis and destruction of microorganisms. When coated with opsonins (generally complement and/or antibody), microorganisms bind to specific receptors on the surface of the phagocyte and invagination of the cell membrane occurs with the incorporation of the microorganism into an intracellular phagosome. There follows a burst of oxygen consumption, and much, if not all, of the extra oxygen consumed is converted to highly reactive oxygen species. In addition, the cytoplasmic granules discharge their contents into the phagosome, and death of the ingested microorganism soon follows. Among the antimicrobial systems formed in the phagosome is one consisting of myeloperoxidase (MPO), released into the phagosome during the degranulation process, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), formed by the respiratory burst and a halide, particularly chloride. The initial product of the MPO-H2O2-chloride system is hypochlorous acid, and subsequent formation of chlorine, chloramines, hydroxyl radicals, singlet oxygen, and ozone has been proposed. These same toxic agents can be released to the outside of the cell, where they may attack normal tissue and thus contribute to the pathogenesis of disease. This review will consider the potential sources of H2O2 for the MPO-H2O2-halide system; the toxic products of the MPO system; the evidence for MPO involvement in the microbicidal activity of neutrophils; the involvement of MPO-independent antimicrobial systems; and the role of the MPO system in tissue injury. It is concluded that the MPO system plays an important role in the microbicidal activity of phagocytes.

Chronic murine toxoplasmosis: clinicopathologic characterization of a progressive wasting syndrome

Nya:NYLAR albino mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii gradually developed a chronic and progressive wasting syndrome characterized by facial and body alopecia, corneal opacities, necrotic lesions of ears and tail, signs of neurologic disease and death within six to eight months after infection. Haematologic changes included a transient normochromic, normocytic anaemia, and persistent lymphopenia and neutrophilia. Changes in serum proteins were manifested by hypoalbuminaemia and pronounced hypergammaglobulinaemia. Serum thyroxine concentrations fell sharply during the first month of infection, then gradually returned to control concentrations. Gross changes included loss of body weight, hepatosplenomegaly, ovarian and uterine atrophy, and a marked involution of the thymus. The predominant histopathologic change in the brain was a mononuclear cell vasculitis, particularly affecting the hippocampus and the choroid plexus, ependyma, and periventricular areas of the lateral and third ventricles. These preliminary observations indicate that mice can serve as a practical animal model of great potential for study of the pathogenesis of chronic toxoplasmosis.

Extracellular metabolism of thyroid hormones by stimulated granulocytes

Stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes have been shown by this laboratory to release a reactive-oxygen species (ROS) which is detectable in the supernatant and is capable of oxidizing reduced glutathione and reacting with methionine (Sagone et al., Blood 63:96-104, 1984). This ROS is dependent on H2O2 and heme for its production and is postulated to be a stable oxidant derived from hypochlorous acid, such as a chloramine. Further, this ROS was also shown to be able to oxidize and fix iodide to protein. This latter characteristic was the theoretical basis for our present study in which the same ROS was shown to be able to carry out the iodination of 3,3,5'-triiodothyronine to thyroxine in the presence of I-. Our results provide further support that granulocytes have a role in the peripheral utilization of thyroid hormones in patients with infectious diseases or other illnesses in which granulocytes may be activated, and our results indicate that the reactions may occur extracellularly.

Ether link cleavage is the major pathway of iodothyronine metabolism in the phagocytosing human leukocyte and also occurs in vivo in the rat

These studies were performed to test the hypothesis that ether link cleavage (ELC) is an important pathway for the metabolism of thyroxine (T(4)) in the phagocytosing human leukocyte. When tyrosyl ring-labeled [(125)I]T(4)([Tyr(125)I]T(4)) was incubated with phagocytosing leukocytes, 50% of the degraded label was converted into [(125)I]3,5-diiodotyrosine ([(125)I]DIT). Of the remaining [Tyr(125)I]T(4) that was degraded, two-thirds was recovered as [(125)I]-nonextractable iodine ([(125)I]NEI), and one-third as [(125)I]iodide. The production of [(125)I]DIT was not observed when phenolic ring-labeled [(125)I]T(4) ([Phen(125)I]T(4)) was used, although [(125)I]NEI and [(125)I]iodide were produced. None of these iodinated compounds were formed in leukocytes that were not carrying out phagocytosis. The fraction of T(4) degraded by ELC was decreased by the addition of unlabeled T(4) and by preheating the leukocytes, findings which suggested that the process was enzymic in nature. ELC was enhanced by the catalase inhibitor aminotriazole, and was inhibited by the peroxidase inhibitor propylthiouracil, suggesting that the enzyme is a peroxidase and that hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) is a necessary cofactor in the reaction. To test this hypothesis, studies were performed in several inherited leukocytic disorders. ELC was not observed in the leukocytes of patients with chronic granulomatous disease, in which the respiratory burst that accompanies phagocytosis is absent. ELC was normal in the leukocytes of two subjects homozygous for Swiss-type acatalasemia, and aminotriazole enhanced ELC in these cells to an extent not significantly different from that observed in normal cells. ELC was normal in the leukocytes of a patient with myeloperoxidase deficiency, but could be induced by the incubation of [Tyr(125)I]T(4) with H(2)O(2) and horseradish peroxidase in the absence of leukocytes. The in vivo occurrence of ELC in the rat was confirmed by demonstrating the appearance of [(125)I]DIT in serum from parenterally injected [(125)I]3,5-diiodothyronine, but no [(125)I]DIT was produced when [(125)I]3',5'-diiodothyronine was administered. FROM THESE FINDINGS WE CONCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: (a) ELC is the major pathway for the degradation of T(4) during leukocyte phagocytosis, and accounts for 50% of the disposal of this iodothyronine; (b) the NEI and iodide formed by phagocytosing cells are derived from the degradation of the phenolic and tyrosyl rings of T(4), although ELC per se accounts for only a small fraction of these iodinated products; (c) the process by which ELC occurs is enzymic in nature, and its occurrence requires the presence of the respiratory burst that accompanies phagocytosis; (d) the enzyme responsible for ELC is likely to be a peroxidase, although a clear role for myeloperoxidase as the candidate enzyme remains to be established; (e) iodothyronines are also degraded by ELC in vivo, and the quantitative importance of this pathway in various pathophysiological states requires further investigation.

Treatment of dopamine-dependent shock with triiodothyronine

At the present time dopamine is the most frequently used treatment in patients with septic shock. The effects of dopamine are mediated by alpha-, beta- and dopaminergic receptors. It has been suggested that these receptors are controlled by triiodothyronine (T3). In acute septic shock circulating T3-concentrations are decreased. We have, therefore, treated in a preliminary study 11 such patients with T2-replacement by continuous infusion of T3 (100-200 micrograms/24h). Dopamine dependence was terminated. In all patients there was an increase of arterial blood pressure (BP) within 24 hrs (systolic BP rose by 34 +/- 4.2 mmHg, diastolic BP by 14.0 +/- 8.2 mmHg, resulting in an increase of the mean BP by 25 +/- 6.1 (SEM mmHg). The pulse rate was not influenced suggesting an effect on minute volume. A hypothesis is offered which explains the T3-effects as a result of its decarboxylation to a dopaminergic iodothyronine which is disturbed during the "low T3-syndrome".

The role of sulfhydryl groups on the impaired hepatic 3',3,5-triiodothyronine generation from thyroxine in the hypothyroid, starved, fetal, and neonatal rodent

The role of nonprotein sulfhydryl groups (NPSH) in the decreased in vitro hepatic 3',3,5-triiodothyronine (T(3)) generation from thyroxine (T(4)) in the starved, hypothyroid, fetal and 1- to 4-d-old neonatal rat and dwarf mouse was assessed. NPSH were measured in fresh 25% liver homogenates prepared in 0.1 M PO(4)/10 mM EDTA buffer. As compared with values in adult male rats, NPSH concentration was decreased in the 2-d-starved (1.1+/-0.04 (mean+/-SE) vs. 2.2+/-0.15 mmol/250 g wet liver weight, P < 0.001), fetal (1.0+/-0.04 vs. 3.2+/-0.08, P < 0.001), 1-d-old neonatal (1.1+/-0.03 vs. 2.1+/-0.04, P < 0.001), and hypothyroid (thyroidectomized 60 d) (1.4+/-0.06 vs. 2.2+/-0.15 P < 0.001) rat. NPSH were also decreased in the hypothyroid, hypopituitary dwarf mouse as compared with values in their normal litter mates (1.3+/-0.03 vs. 2.0+/-0.2, P < 0.01). Chronic administration of T(3) (0.5 mug/100 g body wt per d) markedly increased hepatic T(3) generation from T(4) in the thyroidectomized rat and in the dwarf mouse to values similar to those observed in the normal rodent without affecting NPSH concentration. In contrast, T(3) administration to the starved rat did not alter either hepatic T(3) generation from T(4) or NPSH. Reduced glutathione concentration was also markedly decreased in the starved rat (fed; 1.05+/-0.075 mmol/250 g wet tissue vs. starved 0.38+/-0.02, P < 0.001). Dithiothreitol (DTT), a thiol reducing agent, increased hepatic T(3) generation from T(4) in the normal adult male rat by 45+/-5% in six experiments. When compared to DTT-stimulated control homogenates, the addition of DTT completely restored hepatic T(3) generation in starved rats, partially restored T(3) generation in 1- and 4-d-old neonates, but had little or no effect in the fetal and hypothyroid rat and dwarf mouse. Liver homogenates stored for 6 mo at -20 degrees C lost their capacity to generate T(3) from T(4). NPSH concentrations in the frozen homogenates decreased progressively with increasing storage and were absent by 6 mo. 5'-Deiodinase activity correlated with NPSH concentration in the stored homogenates (r = 0.95, P < 0.005). Addition of DTT partially restored hepatic T(3) generation in the frozen homogenate. It is concluded that NPSH are important for the action of the liver 5'-deiodinase. The decreased hepatic T(3) generation in the starved rat is associated with decreased NPSH but not with a decrease in the absolute quantity of 5'-deiodinase because provision of sulfhydryl groups restored hepatic T(3) generation to normal. In contrast, the decreased hepatic T(3) generation in the adult hypothyroid rodent and in the fetal rat is probably due to a decrease in the enzyme concentration per se. In the 1- and 4-d neonatal rat, the decrease in hepatic T(3) generation is secondary to a decrease in NPSH and the deiodinating enzyme.

Effect of starvation, nutriment replacement, and hypothyroidism on in vitro hepatic T4 to T3 conversion in the rat

To evaluate the effect of starvation, oral and i.v. nutriments, and hypothyroidism on the peripheral conversion of thyroxine (T4) to 3,3', 5-triiodothyronine (T3) in the rat and mouse, an in vitro system for assessing T4 conversion to T3 by fresh liver homogenates was used. A 2-day starvation in the rat reduced hepatic T3 generation from T4 by 47% +/- 3.5% (mean +/- SE) in six separate experiments and also impaired the metabolism of 125I-r-T3. Administration of carbohydrate (CHO) and amino acids (P), but not lipid (L), significantly increased T3 generation above values observed in the starved rat. The mean serum glucose concentration was similar in all nutriment-infused groups, but serum insulin was significantly greater in the CHO- and P-infused as compared to the L-infused rats. These findings suggest that CHO and P, but not L, are important modulators of hepatic outer ring thyronine deiodination in the rat, perhaps due to increased intracellular glucose. Hypothyroidism in the rat induced by thyroidectomy and congenital secondary hypothyroidism in the dwarf mouse resulted in a striking decrease in hepatic conversion of T4 to T3. This decrease was restored to normal by the daily s.c. administration of physiologic doses of T4 (1.5 microgram/100 g) or T3 (0.5 microgram/100 g) for 14 days, and was increased above normal following treatment of normal rate with greater than physiologic doses of T4 (3microgram/100 g) or T3 (1 microgram/100g). In vitro hepatic conversion of T4 to T3 is, therefore, dependent upon thyroid function. Since 2-days starvation in the rat was associated with decreased serum concentrations of T4, T3, and TSH, and hypothyroidism resulted in decreased conversion of T4 to T3, the effect of a constant 2-day infusion of physiologic doses of T4 or T3 in the starved rat on the in vitro deiodination of T4 was assessed. Thyroid hormone replacement did not enhance the conversion of T4 to T3 in the starved rat. These observations suggest that the starvation-induced decrease in hepatic generation of T3 from T4 is not due to hypothyroidism and that the mechanism(s) of the decreased T3 production observed in starvation and hypothyroidism is different.

L-triiodothyronine and L-reverse-triiodothyronine generation in the human polymorphonuclear leukocyte

Extrathyroidal monodeiodination of l-thyroxine (T(4)) is the principal source of l-triiodothyronine (T(3)) and l-reverse-triiodothyronine (rT(3)) production. To define some of the cellular factors involved, we examined T(3) and rT(3) generation from added nonradioactive T(4) in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes, using radioimmunoassays to quantify the T(3) and rT(3) generated. Under optimum incubation conditions which included a pH of 6.5 in sucrose-acetate buffer, the presence of dithiothreitol as a sulfhydryl-group protector, and incubation in an hypoxic atmosphere, significant net generation of T(3) and rT(3) was observed. Of the several subcellular fractions studied, the particulate fraction obtained by centrifugation at 27,000 g was found to possess the highest T(3)- and rT(3)-generating activities per unit quantity of protein. With respect to T(3) generation from substrate T(4), the K(m) was 5 muM and the V(max) was 7.2 pmol/min per mg protein. Propylthiouracil, methimazole, and prior induction of phagocytosis inhibited both T(3) and rT(3) generation, but T(3) generation was inhibited to a greater extent. rT(3), in a concentration equimolar to that of substrate T(4), did not alter T(3) generation, but inhibited T(3) generation when the molar ratio of rT(3) to T(4) approached 10:1. Under the incubation conditions employed, particulate fractions of leukocytes obtained from five cord blood samples displayed an essentially normal relationship between T(3)- and rT(3)-generating activities, despite the distinctly divergent serum T(3) and rT(3) concentrations in these samples. From our findings, we draw the following conclusions: (a) the human polymorphonuclear leukocyte possesses the ability to generate T(3) and rT(3) from substrate T(4); (b) the T(3)- and rT(3)-generating activities are associated principally with the 27,000 g particulate fraction and display enzymic characteristics with a sulfhydryl-group requirement; (c) T(3)-generating activity appears to be more susceptible to inhibitory influences than rT(3)-generating activity; and (d) in cord blood leukocytes, the putative enzymes catalyzing T(3) and rT(3) generation appear to be functionally intact under the experimental conditions employed.

The role of myeloperoxidase in the microbicidal activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Myeloperoxidase (MPO), H2O2 and a halide form a powerful antimicrobial system effective against bacteria, fungi, viruses and mammalian cells. After phagocytosis, MPO is released into the phagosome from adjacent granules where it interacts with H2O2 generated either by leukocytic or microbial metabolism and a halide such as chloride or iodide to form agents toxic to the ingested organisms. Evidence for H2O2 and MPO participation in the microbicidal activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) has been obtained from patients with neutrophil dysfunction. In chronic granulomatous disease, PMNs have a microbicidal defect associated with the absence of the respiratory burst. The importance of H2O2 deficiency in the PMN dysfunction is emphasized by its reversal by H2O2. PMNs which lack MPO also have a major fungicidal and bactericidal defect. Bactericidal activity is particularly low during the early postphagocytic period, after which the organisms are killed. Although emphasizing the importance of MPO-mediated antimicrobial systems particularly during the early postphagocytic period, these findings also indicate the presence of MPO-independent systems which develop slowly but are ultimately effective. The MPO-independent antimicrobial systems may be oxygen-dependent or oxygen-independent. The acetaldehyde-xanthine oxidase system has been used as a model of the MPO-independent, oxygen-dependent antimicrobial systems of the PMN. A microbicidal effect by this system was observed which was inhibited by superoxide dismutase, catalase and scavengers of hydroxyl radicals (OH') and singlet oxygen (1O2). The microbicidal activity of acetaldehyde and xanthine oxidase is increased considerably by MPO and chloride. The formation of ethylene from methional or 2-oxo-4-methylthiobutyric acid by PMNs has been regarded as evidence for OH' formation. We have found ethylene formation to be largely dependent on MPO and evidence for the initiation of ethylene formation by 1O2 has been obtained. Both the xanthine oxidase system and the MPO-H2O2-halide system convert diphenylfuran into cis-dibenzoylethylene, an effect which is compatible with, although not proof of, the formation of 1O2 by these systems.

Regulation of thyroid hormone metabolism in rat liver fractions

The nature of the conversion of thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3) and reverse triiodothyronine (rT3) was investigated in rat liver homogenate and microsomes. A 6-fold rise of T3 and 2.5-fold rise of rT3 levels determined by specific radioimmunoassays was observed over 6 h after the addition of T4. An enzymic process is suggested that converts T4 to T3 and rT3. For T3 the optimal pH is 6 and for rT3, 9.5. The converting activity for both T3 and rT3 is temperature dependent and can be suppressed by heat, H2O2, merthiolate and by 5-propyl-2-thiouracil. rT3 and to a lesser degree iodide, were able to inhibit the production of T3 in a dose related fashion. Therefore the pH dependency, rT3 and iodide may regulate the availability of T3 or rT3 depending on the metabolic requirements of thyroid hormones.

Functional studies on human peritoneal eosinophils

A number of functional studies were performed on essentially pure eosinophil preparations obtained from the ascitic fluid of a patient with eosinophilic gastroenteritis. These cells responded to chemotactic factors including a bacterial factor, partially purified C5a, and factors generated from serum or ascitic fluid. The chemotactic activity generated in the patient's ascitic fluid was capable of attracting both neutrophils and eosinophils, was dependent on the presence of complement components, and was identified as C5a. Metabolic studies demonstrated that particle ingestion by eosinophils was associated with a marked increase in hexose monophosphate shunt activity ([1-14C]glucose oxidation), H2O2 formation ([14C]formate oxidation), superoxide anion generation, chemiluminescence, thyroid hormone degradation, iodination, and estrogen binding. This postphagocytic metabolic burst by eosinophils was qualitatively similar to that observed in neutrophils, but for several parameters the eosinophil response was greater than the neutrophil response.

Estrogen binding by leukocytes during phagocytosis,

Estradiol binds covalently to normal leukocytes during phagocytosis. The binding involves three cell types, neutrophils, eosinophils, and monocytes and at least two reaction mechanisms, one involving the peroxidase of neutrophils and monocytes (myeloperoxidase [MPO]) and possibly the eosinophil peroxidase, and the second involving catalase. Binding is markedly reduced when leukocytes from patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), severe leukocytic glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, and familial lipochrome histiocytosis are employed and two populations of neutrophils, one which binds estradiol and one which does not, can be demonstrated in the blood of a CGD carrier. Leukocytes from patients with hereditary MPO deficiency also bind estradiol poorly although the defect is not as severe as in CGD. These findings are discussed in relation to the inactivation of estrogens during infection and the possible role of estrogens in neutrophil function.

The action of thyroid hormone

Thyroid hormone affects both developmental and metabolic processes. It has a relatively specific effect on the synthesis of a number of enzymes and other proteins. The fundamental cellular mechanism of action seems to be at the level of genetic regulation. It involves interaction with nuclear receptors, leading to an activation of the protein synthesizing machinery. How binding to receptors is coupled to genetic activation is completely unknown. At least part of the metabolic effects of thyroid hormone could be mediated through an interaction with mitochondria and cell membrane, and with some enzymatic systems such as adenylcyclase.

Subcellular localization of a rat liver enzyme converting thyroxine into tri-iodothyronine and possible involvement of essential thiol groups

Experiments with rat liver homogenates showed that on subcellular fractionation the ability to catalyse the conversion of thyroxine into tri-iodothyronine was lost. The activity could in part be restored by addition of the cytosol to the microsomal fraction. Both components were found to be heat labile. The necessity of the presence of cytosol could be circumvented by incorporation of thiol-group-containing compounds in the medium. Optimal enzymic activity was observed in the presence of dithiothreitol and EDTA in medium of low osmolarity. By comparing the distribution of the converting enzyme over the subcellular fractions with a microsomal marker enzyme, glucose 6-phosphatase, it was demonstrated that the former is indeed of microsomal origin. Finally, it was shown that thiol groups play an essential role in the conversion of thyroxine into tri-iodothyronine.

Conversion of thyroxine into tri-iodothyronine by rat liver homogenate

By using a highly specific radioimmunoassay the formation of tri-iodothyronine by the deiodination of thyroxine was studied in rat liver homogenate. Several observations suggest that the reaction observed is enzymic in nature. Pre-heating the homogenate for 30 min at 56 degrees C completely abolished conversion of thyroxine into tri-iodothyronine; the component of rat liver homogenate responsible could be saturated with substrate; iodotyrosines displayed competitive activity. Between 0 degrees and 37 degrees C, the tri-iodothyronine-production rate was positively correlated with incubation temperature. The addition of NAD+ enhanced conversion into tri-iodothyronine, which suggests that an oxidative mechanism is involved. 5-Propyl-2-thiouracil and 6-propyl-2-thiouracil, both known to prevent deiodination in vivo, greatly decreased the deiodiantion activity of rat liver homogenate.

Colchicine effects on lysosomal enzyme induction and intracellular degradation in the cultivated macrophage

The effects of colchicine on lysosomal fusion and lysosomal enzyme induction in the cultivated mouse peritoneal macrophage have been examined. Colchicine (10- minus 6 M), but not lumicolchicine, inhibited lysosomal enzyme induction by both phagocytic and pinocytic stimuli. In addition, the drug significantly retarded pinocytic uptake of [3-H] sucrose and transport of the amino acids [3-H] alpha aminoisobutyric acid and L-[3-H] leucine. In contrast, lumicolchicine had no effect on pinocytosis or amino acid transport. Thus, a role for intact microtubules in lysosomal enzyme induction, pinocytosis, and amino acid uptake in these cells is suggested. That colchicine inhibited lysosomal enzyme induction by phagocytic stimuli under conditions in which pinocytosis contributed little to the enzyme rise indicated that inhibition of pinocytosis was unlikely to account for colchicine effects on lysosomal enzyme induction. Effects of colchicine on degradation of phagocytized and pinocytized substrates were examined to determine if intact microtubules are required for fusion among lysosomes, pinosomes, and phagosomes. Colchicine did not alter the rate of intracellular digestion of radiolabeled bacteria by the cultivated macrophage. Similarly, it had no effect on enzymatic hydrolysis of intracellular [3-H] sucrose resulting from uptake of exogenous invertase. The finding that colchicine had no effect on the functional consequences of fusion of lysosomes with endosomes suggests that intact microtubules are not required for fusion among these constituents of the vacuolar apparatus.