[en] Thymic epithelial cell physiology is known to be under neuroendocrine control. In particular, thyroid hormones modulate thymic hormone secretion by thymic epithelial cells in vivo and in vitro, thus suggesting the existence of specific receptors for those hormones in this component of the thymic microenvironment. Yet, thyroid hormone-binding sites have previously been detected only in crude thymus fractions and lymphocytes. We, thus, decided to search for T3 receptors in the thymic epithelium, by using an antinuclear T3 receptor monoclonal antibody. In situ immunohistochemical analysis of thymic frozen sections showed nuclear labeling of both lymphoid and nonlymphoid cells in the cortex and medulla. Moreover, in vitro studies using thymic epithelial cell lines and the so-called thymic nurse cells revealed a positive reaction in the chromatin, with nucleoli remaining negative. Immunoblot data clearly showed a single protein band of 57K reactive with the antinuclear T3 receptor antibody in murine thymus extracts as well as in the thymic epithelial cell lines. Lastly, in vitro treatment of these cells with T3 resulted in a transient, yet profound, down-modulation of the receptor. In conclusion, our findings provide molecular evidence that the action of thyroid hormones on thymic epithelium occurs via the typical 57K nuclear T3 receptors.
Villa-Verde, D M; Department of Immunology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Defresne, Marie-Paule ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences précliniques MI > Histologie - Cytologie
Vannier-dos-Santos, Marcos A.; Laboratory of Ultrastructure and Electron Microscopy, Institute for Byophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Dussault, Jean H.; Unite de Recherche en Ontogenese et Genetique Moleculaires, Universite Laval, QC, Canada
Boniver, Jacques ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences précliniques MI > Anatomie et cytologie pathologiques
Savino, Wilson; Laboratory on Thymus Research, Department of Immunology, Institute Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Language :
English
Title :
Identification of nuclear triiodothyronine receptors in the thymic epithelium.
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