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Biomedical subjects

S Filetti

Publications and source records attributed to S Filetti.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Evidence that organic iodine attenuates the adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate response to thyrotropin stimulation in thyroid tissue by an action at or near the adenylate cyclase catalytic unit.

Studies were conducted to define more clearly the site in the thyroid adenylate cyclase complex at which iodine exerts its inhibitory effect on activation of this enzyme by TSH. Iodine- and TSH-induced desensitization were additive. Dissociation was observed between the rates of recovery from TSH- and iodine-induced desensitization. Cycloheximide (10(-4) M) prevented recovery from the inhibitory effect of iodine on thyroid adenylate cyclase activation. Preincubation of freshly isolated dog thyroid follicles in 10(-4) M iodide decreased the subsequent cAMP response to cholera toxin (0.5 micrograms/ml) stimulation. This effect of iodide was prevented by 3 mM methimazole. Thyroid adenylate cyclase regulatory protein (Ns) activity was assessed by the ability of detergent extracts of thyroid plasma membranes to reconstitute adenylate cyclase responsiveness to isoproterenol in N-deficient S49 cyc- plasma membranes. Thyroid Ns activities were similar in control and iodide-pretreated thyroid cells. The inhibitory effect of iodine on TSH activation of thyroid cAMP generation was additive to that of inhibition via the alpha 2- adrenergic pathway and also additive to inhibition by 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine (an adenosine P-site agonist). Preincubation of freshly dispersed dog thyroid cells in 10(-4) M NaI reduced the cAMP response to stimulation by 100 microM forskolin. These data provide evidence that in iodine-induced TSH desensitization in the thyroid; 1) TSH receptor function is normal, 2) the regulatory protein (Ns) in the adenylate cyclase stimulatory pathway is functionally unaltered, 3) iodine does not exert its effect via the regulatory protein (Ni) in the pathway that inhibits adenylate cyclase activation, 4) iodine does not act via the adenosine P-site inhibitory pathway, 5) the action of iodine is at or near the adenylate cyclase catalytic unit, and 6) new protein synthesis is necessary for recovery from iodine desensitization.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Studies on the cyclic AMP response to thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) and thyrotropin (TSH) in human thyroid cell monolayers.

Studies were conducted on the cultured human thyroid cell bioassay for thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) and thyrotropin (TSH). In confirmation of the data of Kasagi, et al.,15 incubation of human thyroid cells in Hank's balanced salt solution deficient in NaCl increased the sensitivity of the c-AMP response to bovine TSH by approximately one order of magnitude. Half-maximal stimulation was attained at approximately 0.1 mU bTSH/ml. The effect of NaCl in the medium was greater with stimulation by TSI greater than hTSH greater than bTSH. In contract to incubations in NaCl(+)medium, with NaCl(-) medium most (70%-80%) of the c-AMP produced was released into the medium; this proportion remaining relatively constant over a wide range of bTSH and hTSH concentrations. At TSI concentrations higher than 3mg/ml efflux of c-AMP into the medium was significantly diminished. Stimulation by cholera toxin and prostaglandin E of thyroid cell c-AMP generation was not enhanced in NaCl(-) medium, in contrast to stimulation by TSH and TSI. The presence of 10(-4)m cycloheximide in NaCl(+) medium enhanced the c-AMP response to physiological concentrations of TSH. As with NaCl(-) medium, cycloheximide increased the sensitivity but not the maximum response of the c-AMP response to TSH. However no additivity was observed with NaCl(-) medium and cycloheximide. Human thyroid cells obtained from patients with Graves' disease are relatively insensitive to TSI stimulation. In NaCl(-) medium, however, the sensitivity of these cells to TSI stimulation is sufficient to enable them to be utilized in the TSI assay. The present state of the TSI assay is discussed.

Alprostadil↗

High performance gel permeation chromatography of bovine thyrotropin (TSH): effect of column stability and mobile phase variation.

Because of previously observed variability in the elution patterns of radiolabeled bovine TSH (bTSH) and bTSH bioactivity (in a particular bTSH preparation) on gel permeation high performance liquid chromatography (GPC), studies were conducted to examine the effect of different conditions on the elution of this material. Continued use of a Waters' I-125 column at pH 7.2 demonstrated progressive retardation in the elution of bioactivity and radioactivity in this highly-purified bTSH preparation, with progressive but incomplete separation of these two functions. With decreasing mobile phase pH the elution positions of TSH bioactivity and radioactivity advanced to a coincident peak near to the void volume (pH 4). Addition to the mobile phase of the ion pair reagents tetrabutyl-ammonium phosphate (PIC-A) and pentane sulfonic acid (PIC B5) produced marked alterations in the elution positions of TSH radioactivity and bioactivity, with separation of these functions in the presence of the former reagent. These data indicate the present limitations of GPC for the purification of TSH.

Animals↗

Evidence for species specificity in the interaction between thyrotropin and thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin and their receptor in thyroid tissue.

The cAMP response in cultured human and dog thyroid cells was used to examine the relationship between human TSH, nonprimate TSH, and thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) bioactivity in human and nonhuman thyroid tissue. The bovine TSH (bTSH) to human TSH potency ratio was approximately 6-fold greater in dog than in human thyroid cells. Relative bioactivity of bTSH and TSI aslo differed in these cell types. Thus, four TSI samples produced approximately 6-fold greater stimulation relative to bTSH in human thyroid than in dog thyroid cells. It is discussed why these data suggest that the TSH receptor as well as TSH and TSI display species specificity as defined by the classical concept of this term.

Animals↗

Role of thyrotrophin-releasing hormone in the development of pituitary-thyroid axis in four anencephalic infants.

Anencephaly provides a unique model for studying endocrine functions in absence of hypothalamic influence. We previously reported that in anencephalic newborns both pituitary TSH-secreting cells and the thyroid were normal and were able to function if adequately stimulated. In order to verify if the normal development of the pituitary-thyroid axis in these infants depends on TRH of extrahypothalamic origin, we measured endogenous TRH levels in the clear fluid of a cyst of the cerebro-vasculosa in 4 anencephalic newborns. In these cysts were also injected 200 micrograms of synthetic TRH and evaluated TSH response in peripheral blood samples. Endogenous TRH was detectable in the cysts of the cerebro-vasculosa in 3 of the 4 infants. In all 4 cases serum TSH sharply increased after TRH administration. Our data suggest that the normal development of the pituitary-thyroid axis in anencephalic infants either requires no TRH or depends on extrahypothalamic TRH. In this latter case TRH produced by other areas of the central nervous system might be secreted into the cysts of the cerebro-vasculosa, actively transported to the hypophyseal vessels, and might thus reach the pituitary to stimulate TSH-cells growth and function.

Anencephaly↗

Prevention by nicotinamide of desensitization to thyrotropin stimulation in cultured human thyroid cells.

The presence of 50 mM nicotinamide together with 100 milliunits/ml of TSH in the incubation medium prevented the decline in human thyroid cell cAMP from maximum, stimulated levels (15-30 min) that occurs when the cells are exposed to TSH alone. Nicotinamide in the absence of TSH did not increase thyroid cell cAMP content. TSH desensitization, and its prevention by nicotinamide, occurred in the presence or absence of 3-isobutyl-methylxanthine. 1-Methyl nicotinamide and N'-methyl nicotinamide similarly prevented TSH desensitization. Recovery from TSH desensitization was prolonged and incomplete after 72 h. The presence of 50 mM nicotinamide hastened recovery from desensitization. Desensitization of the cAMP response to 10(6) M prostaglandin E1 and 1 mM adenosine was unaffected by nicotinamide. Other inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity, 5-bromouridine, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine, and thymidine (all at 50 mM) completely or partially prevented TSH desensitization. Pyridoxine (50 mM) similarly prevented this phenomenon. As with dog thyroid cells, 10(-4) M cycloheximide blocked TSH desensitization. The combination of 10(-4) M cycloheximide and 50 mM nicotinamide had a synergistic effect in augmenting the thyroid cell cAMP response to TSH stimulation.

Cells, Cultured↗

Hormonal stimulation of eucaryotic cell ADP-ribosylation.

The effect of thyrotropin (TSH) on the ADP-ribosylation of endogenous thyroid cell acceptor proteins was examined. Cells were "permeabilized" at 4 degrees C in hypotonic medium and then exposed to [(32)P]- or [(3)H-adenine]NAD(+). The net incorporation of labeled ADP-ribose was measured by trichloroacetic acid precipitation. TSH (100 mU/ml) enhanced ADP-ribosylation with a maximum effect after 30-60 min in the majority of experiments. TSH stimulation was observed even when the incubation contained 1,000-fold more exogenous NAD(+) than the amount of NAD(+) contributed by the permeabilized cells, indicating an effect on enzymatic activity rather than an alteration in NAD(+) pool size or specific activity. No incorporation of radioactivity from labeled NAD(+) was observed in cells not rendered permeable to NAD(+) by hypotonic shock. TSH did not increase the rate of disappearance of trichloroacetic-precipitable radioactivity and did not contain intrinsic NAD(+) glycohydrolase activity. Alkali and snake venom phosphodiesterase, but not ribonuclease or deoxyribonuclease digestion of trichloroacetic acid precipitable thyroid cell radioactivity, revealed primarily 5'-AMP, consistent with an effect of TSH on mono-ADP ribosylation. Nicotinamide and thymidine (50 mM) inhibited both basal and TSH-stimulated ADP-ribosylation of thyroid cell protein. Dibutyryl cyclic (c)AMP (0.1 mM) inhibited endogenous ADP-ribosylation by approximately 35% but had no effect at lower concentrations. 0.5 mM isobutylmethylxanthine inhibited this reaction by approximately 60%. We suggest that TSH enhances thyroid cell ADP-ribosylation by a mechanism independent of cAMP as a second messenger, and that ADP-ribosylation plays a role in the expression of TSH.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗

Insulin receptor down-regulation, prevention at a post-receptor site.

Nicotinamide (50mM) prevented insulin-mediated down-regulation of insulin receptors in IM-9 lymphoblastoid cells. Half-maximum effectiveness was between 10 and 33mM. Nicotinamide did not influence insulin binding to the cells, cell viability, insulin degradation or protein synthesis. A variety of inhibitors of ADP-ribosylation reactions besides nicotinamide, most of them pyridine analogues, similarly prevented insulin-induced receptor loss. Spermine decreased the number of insulin receptors in IM-9 cells, but this effect was not inhibited by nicotinamide.

Cells, Cultured↗

Studies on the bioactivity of radioiodinated highly purified bovine thyrotropin: analytical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Highly purified bovine TSH (stored in solution at -70 C) was radioiodinated by the stoichiometric chloroamine-T method. The iodinated material ws subjected to analytical polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis. TSH was eluted from gel slices (1 mm width) and was analyzed for radioactivity and bioactivity. The latter was determined using the cultured thyroid cell cAMP response assay. Radioactivity in the TSH preparation migrated separately from bioactivity, but concordant with the protein bands observed in gels run in parallel. Further studies performed on bovine TSH purified in our laboratory, as well as on a different TSH preparation of exceptionally high potency (both stored as lyophilized powder) revealed a different pattern, with TSH bioactivity and radioactivity eluting concurrently. Iodination of TSH did not alter its electrophoretic migration on disc gel electrophoresis. In all preparations polymorphism of TSH bioactivity was observed, with at least four separate protein bands containing TSH bioactivity being present in our preparation. The relationship between the degree of iodination and retention of TSH bioactivity was examined. Incorporation of 125I into TSH was greatly different at two different concentrations of chloramine-T. Despite this, however, the progressive loss of TSH bioactivity was similar at both concentrations, indicating that incorporation of iodine into the TSH molecule is not itself responsible for the decrease in bioactivity. These studies indicate variability among different TSH preparations in terms of their retention of bioactivity. Significant loss of TSH bioactivity appears to occur during storage in solution. The damage to the biological activity of TSH during the iodination procedure is more likely related to the oxidation process than to the incorporation of iodine.

Adenoma↗

Serum thyroglobulin levels in the newborn.

To study the pattern of thyroglobulin (Tg) serum concentrations in the first days of life, Tg, TSH, T3, and T4, were measured in both maternal and cord blood at delivery and 1, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after birth in 16 newborns. Tg levels at birth wee higher in cord blood than in maternal blood. After birth, a prolonged Tg rise occurred. The increased levels became significant at 6 h and were maintained throughout the study. Tg levels were not correlated with serum levels of T3, T4, and TSH. We conclude that either a reduced Tg MCR or an increased thyroidal secretion of Tg after endogenous TSH stimulation in the newborn is a possible explanation for the elevated Tg levels occurring during the first days of life.

Female↗

Thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin bioassay using cultured human thyroid cells.

Modifications are described in the cultured thyroid cell cAMP assay for TSH which make it suitable for the measurement of thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins. Comparison was made between this assay and two others measuring cAMP responsiveness in human thyroid tissue, namely the thyroid slice and thyroid plasma membrane adenylate cyclase assays, all performed with the same tissue sample. Of immunoglobulin G (IgG) samples from 7 unselected patients with untreated hyperthyroidism associated with Graves' disease, 5 produced significant stimulation of cAMP content in cultured thyroid cells when compared to pooled normal IgG. None of these 7 produced a statistically significant increase in thyroid slice cAMP content when assayed in triplicate, the same replicate number used in the cultured thyroid cell assay. Similarly, none of the same Graves' IgG samples produced significant stimulation (vs. control IgG) in the membrane adenylate cyclase assay, in which sensitivity to TSH stimulation was very poor. With a scaled-down modification of the assay using microtiter wells and acetylation to enhance detection of cAMP in the RIA, significant TSI activity was observed in 15 of 18 (83%) IgG samples from patients with untreated Graves' disease. The data indicate the excellent sensitivity and precision of the thyroid cell cAMP assay, as well as its convenience.

Biological Assay↗

Measurement of reverse triiodothyronine in dried blood spot: methodology and clinical application as a screening procedure for detection of congenital hypothyroidism.

A new sensitive radioimmunoassay method for measuring reverse triiodothyronine (rT3) concentrations in dried blood samples, designed to screen newborn infants for congenital hypothyroidism, has been developed. Paper strips are impregnated with cord blood and dried. Duplicate 5-mm diameter discs are punched from the paper strips and added directly to the radioimmunoassay reaction mixture. After incubation, bound and free hormone are separated by dextran-coated charcoal. The disc remains in the solution throughout the procedure and the assay can be completed within 24 hr. Recovery of rT3 is greater than 95% and coefficients of variation are 9.4% (intraassay) and 12.2% (interassay) at an rT3 concentration of 220 ng/dl. At very low rT3 concentrations (25 ng/dl), coefficients of variation are 14.2% (intraassay) and 18.7% (interassay). The method readily detects 12.5 ng/dl of rT3. With this paper disc method, rT3 was measured in 38 newborns and compared with serum rT3 measured in the same subjects by a standard radioimmunoassay method. The correlation between rT3 values measured in dried blood disc and in serum was very high (r = 0.918). The rT3 in dried blood discs from the cord blood of 745 normal newborns was 228.9 +/- 76.0 ng/dl (mean +/- SD). In contrast, two infants with proven congenital hypothyroidism had rT3 values of 35 and 75 ng/dl, respectively. This study indicates that rT3 can be easily measured in dried blood discs and suggests that the described method may be a useful screening procedure in a program for the detection of neonatal hypothyroidism.

Congenital Hypothyroidism↗

Thyroid-pituitary function in eight anencephalic infants.

The function of the thyroid pituitary axis was investigated in 8 anencephalic infants with no hypothalamus. Thyrotrophin (TSH), thyroxine (T4), 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) and 3,3',5'-triiodothyrone (reverse T3 and rT3) were measured in the cord blood in 5 cases and during the first 4 h of life in 3 cases. TSH response to synthetic thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) (200 microgram iv) was carried out in two cases and thyroid hormone response to bovine TSH (5 IU iv) was evaluated in 3 cases. The following results wre obtained: 1) The pituitary gland was found in all infants and the thyroid was normal both grossly and by microscopic sections. 2) TSH levels at birth were normal but there was no spontaneous post-delivery surge. 3) T4 and T3 values at delivery were within normal range, but no T3 increase was present after birth. rT3 levels at birth were higher than normal in 3 cases. 4) Administration of TRH caused a marked and rapid TSH release. 5) Thyroid hormone response to TSH was normal. The present findings suggest that in the anencephalic foetus both pituitary TSH-secreting cells and the thyroid gland do develop despite the absence of the hypothalamus and are able to function if adequately stimulated.

Anencephaly↗