Effects of transforming growth factor α (TGF-α) on DNA synthesis and thyrotropin-induced iodine metabolism in cultured porcine thyroid cells

Arai M, Tsushima T, Isozaki 0, Demura H, Shizume K, Emoto N, Miyakawa M, Nozoe Y, Murakami H, Ohmura E. Effects of transforming growth factor α (TGF-α) on DNA synthesis and thyrotropin-induced iodine metabolism in cultured porcine thyroid cells. Eur J Endocrinol 1995;132:242–8. ISSN 0804–4643 Transforming growth factor α (TGF-α) is a potent mitogen that is similar structurally to epidermal growth factor (EGF). As EGF is a potent growth stimulator and an inhibitor of iodine metabolism in cultured thyroid cells of several species, we studied whether TGF-α has similar effects using porcine thyroid cells in culture. Recombinant human TGF-α dose-dependently stimulated DNA synthesis of thyroid cells, with maximal stimulation (eight- to ninefold above basal) occurring at 2 nmol/l. The potency was approximately 50% that of mouse EGF and correlated with the ability to compete with EGF for receptor binding, suggesting that the action of TGF-α is mediated by interaction with EGF receptors. When thyroid cells were cultured for 3 days with thyrotropin (TSH) in the presence of TGF-α, TSH-induced iodide uptake was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. The potency of TGF-α again was approximately 50% that of EGF. Transforming growth factor α did not inhibit TSH-stimulated cAMP production. Moreover, iodide uptake stimulated by either forskolin or 8-bromo-cAMP also was inhibited by TGF-α. Thus, we conclude that TGF-α inhibits TSH-induced iodine metabolism largely by acting at the steps distal to cAMP production. Northern blot analysis revealed expression of TGF-α mRNA in porcine thyroid cells. These observations suggest that TGF-α acts as an autocrine modulator of growth and differentiated functions in porcine thyroid cells. T Tsushima, Department of Medicine 2, Tokyo Women's Medical College, Kawadacho 8–1, Shinjukuku, Tokyo 162, Japan