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No description available.

Yes / Thyroid hormone (TH) is essential for adult brain function and its actions include several key roles in the hypothalamus. Although TH controls gene expression via specific TH receptors of the nuclear receptor class, surprisingly few genes have been demonstrated to be directly regulated by TH in the hypothalamus, or the adult brain as a whole. This study explored the rapid induction by TH of retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (Raldh1), encoding a retinoic acid (RA)-synthesizing enzyme, as a gene specifically expressed in hypothalamic tanycytes, cells that mediate a number of actions of TH in the hypothalamus. The resulting increase in RA may then regulate gene expression via the RA receptors, also of the nuclear receptor class. In vivo exposure of the rat to TH led to a significant and rapid increase in hypothalamic Raldh1 within 4 hours. That this may lead to an in vivo increase in RA is suggested by the later induction by TH of the RA-responsive gene Cyp26b1. To explore the actions of RA in the hypothalamus as a potential mediator of TH control of gene regulation, an ex vivo hypothalamic rat slice culture method was developed in which the Raldh1-expressing tanycytes were maintained. These slice cultures confirmed that TH did not act on genes regulating energy balance but could induce Raldh1. RA has the potential to upregulate expression of genes involved in growth and appetite, Ghrh and Agrp. This regulation is acutely sensitive to epigenetic changes, as has been shown for TH action in vivo. These results indicate that sequential triggering of two nuclear receptor signalling systems has the capability to mediate some of the functions of TH in the hypothalamus.

Yes / Animals have evolved diverse seasonal variations in physiology and reproduction to accommodate yearly changes in environmental and climatic conditions. These changes in physiology are initiated by changes in photoperiod (daylength) and are mediated through melatonin, which relays photoperiodic information to the pars tuberalis of the pituitary gland. Melatonin drives thyroid‐stimulating hormone transcription and synthesis in the pars tuberalis, which, in turn, regulates thyroid hormone and retinoic acid synthesis in the tanycytes lining the third ventricle of the hypothalamus. Seasonal variation in central thyroid hormone signalling is conserved among photoperiodic animals. Despite this, different species adopt divergent phenotypes to cope with the same seasonal changes. A common response amongst different species is increased hypothalamic cell proliferation/neurogenesis in short photoperiod. That cell proliferation/neurogenesis may be important for seasonal timing is based on (i) the neurogenic potential of tanycytes; (ii) the fact that they are the locus of striking seasonal morphological changes; and (iii) the similarities to mechanisms involved in de novo neurogenesis of energy balance neurones. We propose that a decrease in hypothalamic thyroid hormone and retinoic acid signalling initiates localised neurodegeneration and apoptosis, which leads to a reduction in appetite and body weight. Neurodegeneration induces compensatory cell proliferation from the neurogenic niche in tanycytes and new cells are born under short photoperiod. Because these cells have the potential to differentiate into a number of different neuronal phenotypes, this could provide a mechanistic basis to explain the seasonal regulation of energy balance, as well as reproduction. This cycle can be achieved without changes in thyroid hormone/retinoic acid and explains recent data obtained from seasonal animals held in natural conditions. However, thyroid/retinoic acid signalling is required to synchronise the cycles of apoptosis, proliferation and differentiation. Thus, hypothalamic neurogenesis provides a framework to explain diverse photoperiodic responses. / MRC. Grant Number: MR/P012205/1 - Scottish Government - BBSRC. Grant Number: BB/K001043/1 - Physiological Society

Schilddrüsenhormone benötigen als geladene Proteine Transporter um Zellmembranen zu durchqueren. Ein sehr spezifisches Transportprotein ist der Monocarboxylattransporter 8 (Mct8). Mutationen in MCT8 führen beim Menschen zu einer schweren X-gekoppelten mentalen Retardierung, die mit sehr speziellen Veränderungen der Schilddrüsenhormonwerte im Serum einher geht. Zur genaueren Untersuchung der Funktion von Mct8 sowie Mechanismen der Erkrankung wurde ein Knock-out Mausmodell für Mct8 generiert und mit dem menschlichen Phänotyp verglichen. Mct8-defiziente Mäuse replizieren den humanen Phänotyp in Hinsicht auf veränderte Schilddrüsenhormonparameter im Serum. Dennoch weisen diese Mäuse keine morphologischen Veränderungen des Gehirns auf. Ein in dieser Arbeit erstmalig nachgewiesenes ähnlich einer Hyperthyreose verändertes Angstverhalten sowie ein ähnlich einer Hypothyreose verändertes Putzverhalten führte zu der Hypothese, dass es andere Transporter gibt, die den Verlust von Mct8 kompensieren. Ein Kandidat mit einem ähnlichen Expressionsmuster in verschiedenen Geweben und auch in Zelltypen des Gehirns ist der L-Typ Aminosäuretransporter 2 (Lat2). Mct8 ist bei der Maus und beim Menschen während der Entwicklung stark in Neuronen und anderen Zelltypen des Gehirns exprimiert. LAT2 ist jedoch anders als bei der Maus beim Menschen während der Entwicklung in Neuronen nicht nachweisbar. Lat2 könnte also bei der Maus, jedoch nicht beim Menschen den Verlust von Mct8 während der Gehirnentwicklung kompensieren und somit den Unterschied zwischen beiden Phänotypen erklären. Die Untersuchung von Mct8-defizienten Mäusen konnte jedoch auch einen neuen Phänotyp aufdecken: das Fehlen von Mct8 führt bei Mäusen mit zunehmendem Alter zu Hyperplasien der Schilddrüse, die als papilläre Schilddrüsenkarzinome klassifiziert wurden. Bei einem Patienten mit Allan-Herndon-Dudley-Syndrom konnten hierauf ebenfalls hyperplastische Veränderungen der Schilddrüse gefunden werden. / Thyroid hormones are charged molecules and therefore need transporters to cross the cell membrane. One very specific transport protein is the monocarboxylatetransporter 8 (Mct8). Mutations in MCT8 lead to a severe form of X-linked mental retardation in humans in combination with very specific changes in thyroid hormone serum parameters. A mouse model of Mct8-deficiency was generated and compared to the human phenotype to be able to precisely analyze functions of Mct8 and mechanisms of the disease. Mct8-deficient mice do replicate the human phenotype concerning changes of thyroid hormones in serum. However, these mice did not show any morphological changes in the brain. This work could show for the first time changes in anxiety-related behaviour indicative of hyperthyroidism as well as changes in grooming behaviour indicative of hypothyroidism. This led to the hypothesis that other transporters exist that can compensate for the loss of Mct8. One candidate that has a similar expression pattern in different tissues and cell types of the brain is the L-type amino acid transporter 2 (Lat2). Mct8 is highly expressed in neurons and other cell types of mice and humans during development. LAT2 is in contrast to the mouse not detectable in human developing neurons. Therefore, Lat2 could compensate in the mouse but not in the human for the loss of Mct8 during brain development. This could explain the differences between both phenotypes. Nevertheless, the analysis of Mct8-deficient mice could also disclose a new phenotype: the loss of Mct8 leads to thyroid hyperplasia in mice that increases with age and could be classified as papillary thyroid carcinoma. Thereupon, hyperplastic changes of the thyroid could also be detected in a patient with Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome.

Sabe-se que o hipotireoidismo (Hipo) resulta em supressão do eixo hormônio de crescimento (GH)/ insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) e em atraso no desenvolvimento esquelético. Em um estudo anterior, vimos que o tratamento de ratas jovens Hipo com GC-1, um análogo da triiodotironina (T3) seletivo pela isoforma <font face=\"symbol\">b de receptor de hormônio tireoideano (TR<font face=\"symbol\">b), não teve efeito sobre o IGF-I sérico ou sobre a expressão protéica de IGF-I nas lâminas epifisiais, mas parcialmente reverteu alterações esqueléticas decorrentes do Hipo, o que sugere que: (i) o desenvolvimento esquelético requer ações do T3 mediadas pelo TR<font face=\"symbol\">a1 e TR<font face=\"symbol\">b1 (isoformas de TR expressas no osso); ou (ii) requer interações entre o eixo GH/IGF-I e o hormônio tireoideano. Neste estudo, investigamos essas hipóteses tratando ratas recém desmamadas Hipo com T3 ou GC-1 em associação ou não com o GH por 4 semanas. Os nossos achados mostram que o T3 e GH interagem para promover o desenvolvimento ósseo, mas que uma série de efeitos do T3 nesse processo independe do eixo GH/IGF-I e são mediadas pelo TR<font face=\"symbol\">a e/ou TR<font face=\"symbol\">b. / Thyroid hormone (TH) has important effects on bone development and metabolism. It is known that triiodotyronine (T3) has indirect actions in the skeleton through its influence on the production and secretion of growth hormone (GH)/ insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) and/or other factors. On the other hand, direct actions of T3 on bone are recognized but not yet clear. Most of T3 action is mediaded by its nuclear receptors (TRs). TR<font face=\"symbol\">a1, TR<font face=\"symbol\">b1 e TR<font face=\"symbol\">b2 bind T3, while TR<font face=\"symbol\">a2 does not bind T3 and acts as an antagonist of genic transcription of TR<font face=\"symbol\">a1 and TR<font face=\"symbol\">b1. All these receptors, except TR<font face=\"symbol\">b2, are expressed in chondrocytes of growth plate, osteoblasts and osteoclastos. However, the functional roles of each TR isoformas in the bone development are incompletely understood. A few years, it is development GC-1, a synthetic analog of T3 which is selectivwe for TR<font face=\"symbol\">b1 over TR<font face=\"symbol\">a1. In recent study, we showed that treatment of hypothyroid young rats with T3 revert the IGF-I deficiency and skeleton defects caused by hypothyroidism. Since GC-1 treatment does not effects on serum levels of IGF-I or protein expression of IGF-I in the growth plate, but revert some bone alterations induced by T3 deficiency. Considering the selectivity of GC-1 for TR<font face=\"symbol\">b, these findings suggest that T3 has effects on bone development that are mediated by TR<font face=\"symbol\">b and independent of GH/IGF-I axis. On the other hand, the inability of GC-1 in completely revert the alterations of bone development suggests that the normal skeleton development require (i) T3 actions mediated by TR<font face=\"symbol\">a1 and TR<font face=\"symbol\">b1, or (ii) synergic or additive actions between GH/IGF-I axis and thyroid hormone. To investigate these hypotheses, 21 day-old hypothyroid female rats were treated with T3 or GC-1 in association or not with GH for 4 weeks. Our findings show that T3 interacts with GH to promote body growth, differentiation of growth plate hypertrofic chondrocytes, intramembranous ossification of cranial bone, and increased of bone resistance and other biomechanics parameters that contribute to the best bone quality. On the other hand, ours results suggest strongly that TH acts in bone mass acquisition, in organization of growth plate chondrocytes and endocondral ossification mainly independent of GH/IGF-I axis and via TR<font face=\"symbol\">a and/or TR<font face=\"symbol\">b.

Sabe-se que o hipotireoidismo (Hipo) resulta em supressão do eixo hormônio de crescimento (GH)/ insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) e em atraso no desenvolvimento esquelético. Em um estudo anterior, vimos que o tratamento de ratas jovens Hipo com GC-1, um análogo da triiodotironina (T3) seletivo pela isoforma <font face=\"symbol\">b de receptor de hormônio tireoideano (TR<font face=\"symbol\">b), não teve efeito sobre o IGF-I sérico ou sobre a expressão protéica de IGF-I nas lâminas epifisiais, mas parcialmente reverteu alterações esqueléticas decorrentes do Hipo, o que sugere que: (i) o desenvolvimento esquelético requer ações do T3 mediadas pelo TR<font face=\"symbol\">a1 e TR<font face=\"symbol\">b1 (isoformas de TR expressas no osso); ou (ii) requer interações entre o eixo GH/IGF-I e o hormônio tireoideano. Neste estudo, investigamos essas hipóteses tratando ratas recém desmamadas Hipo com T3 ou GC-1 em associação ou não com o GH por 4 semanas. Os nossos achados mostram que o T3 e GH interagem para promover o desenvolvimento ósseo, mas que uma série de efeitos do T3 nesse processo independe do eixo GH/IGF-I e são mediadas pelo TR<font face=\"symbol\">a e/ou TR<font face=\"symbol\">b. / Thyroid hormone (TH) has important effects on bone development and metabolism. It is known that triiodotyronine (T3) has indirect actions in the skeleton through its influence on the production and secretion of growth hormone (GH)/ insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) and/or other factors. On the other hand, direct actions of T3 on bone are recognized but not yet clear. Most of T3 action is mediaded by its nuclear receptors (TRs). TR<font face=\"symbol\">a1, TR<font face=\"symbol\">b1 e TR<font face=\"symbol\">b2 bind T3, while TR<font face=\"symbol\">a2 does not bind T3 and acts as an antagonist of genic transcription of TR<font face=\"symbol\">a1 and TR<font face=\"symbol\">b1. All these receptors, except TR<font face=\"symbol\">b2, are expressed in chondrocytes of growth plate, osteoblasts and osteoclastos. However, the functional roles of each TR isoformas in the bone development are incompletely understood. A few years, it is development GC-1, a synthetic analog of T3 which is selectivwe for TR<font face=\"symbol\">b1 over TR<font face=\"symbol\">a1. In recent study, we showed that treatment of hypothyroid young rats with T3 revert the IGF-I deficiency and skeleton defects caused by hypothyroidism. Since GC-1 treatment does not effects on serum levels of IGF-I or protein expression of IGF-I in the growth plate, but revert some bone alterations induced by T3 deficiency. Considering the selectivity of GC-1 for TR<font face=\"symbol\">b, these findings suggest that T3 has effects on bone development that are mediated by TR<font face=\"symbol\">b and independent of GH/IGF-I axis. On the other hand, the inability of GC-1 in completely revert the alterations of bone development suggests that the normal skeleton development require (i) T3 actions mediated by TR<font face=\"symbol\">a1 and TR<font face=\"symbol\">b1, or (ii) synergic or additive actions between GH/IGF-I axis and thyroid hormone. To investigate these hypotheses, 21 day-old hypothyroid female rats were treated with T3 or GC-1 in association or not with GH for 4 weeks. Our findings show that T3 interacts with GH to promote body growth, differentiation of growth plate hypertrofic chondrocytes, intramembranous ossification of cranial bone, and increased of bone resistance and other biomechanics parameters that contribute to the best bone quality. On the other hand, ours results suggest strongly that TH acts in bone mass acquisition, in organization of growth plate chondrocytes and endocondral ossification mainly independent of GH/IGF-I axis and via TR<font face=\"symbol\">a and/or TR<font face=\"symbol\">b.

<p>Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of brominated flame retardant chemicals that are added to plastics, electronic components, furniture foam, and textiles to reduce their combustibility. Of the three commercial mixtures historically marketed, only DecaBDE, which is constituted almost entirely (~97%) of the fully brominated congener decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209), continues to be used in the U.S. today. While decaBDE is scheduled for phase-out in the U.S. at the end of 2013, exposures to BDE-209 and other PBDEs will continue into the foreseeable future as products that contain them continue to be used, recycled, and discarded. In addition, decaBDE use continues to be largely unrestricted across Asia, although restricted from use in electronic equipment in Europe. </p><p>Despite limits placed on PBDE uses, they are ubiquitous contaminants detected worldwide in humans and wildlife. Major health effect concerns for PBDEs come largely from evidence in laboratory rodents demonstrating neurotoxicity, reproductive and developmental impairments, and thyroid disruption. The potential for PBDEs, particularly BDE-209, to disrupt thyroid regulation and elicit other toxic outcomes in fish is less clear. Thus, the overall objective of this thesis research was to answer questions concerning how fish, as important indicators of overall environmental health, are metabolizing PBDEs and whether and how PBDEs are disrupting thyroid hormone regulation. The central hypothesis was that PBDE metabolism in fish is mediated by iodothyronine deiodinase (dio) enzymes, which are responsible for activating and inactivating thyroid hormones, and that PBDE exposures are causing thyroid system dysfunction across fish life stages. </p><p>Under the first research aim, in vitro experiments conducted in liver tissues isolated from common carp (Cyprinus carpio) suggested a role for dio enzymes in catalyzing the reductive debromination of PBDEs. Carp liver microsomes efficiently debrominated BDE-99 to BDE-47, and enzymes catalyzing this reaction were associated predominantly with the endoplasmic reticulum (i.e., microsomal fraction) where dio enzymes are located. Competitive substrate experiments in carp liver microsomes also demonstrated that rates of BDE-99 debromination to BDE-47 were significantly inhibited upon challenges with 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (rT3) and thyroxine (T4). This finding supported the hypothesis that enzymes involved in the metabolism of PBDEs may have high affinities for thyroid hormones. Indeed, experiments to determine apparent enzymatic kinetics (apparent Vmax and Km values) of BDE-99 hepatic metabolism suggested that enzymes responsible for the catalytic activity appeared to have a higher affinity for native thyroid hormone than BDE-99. </p><p>The second and third research aims were focused on evaluating BDE-209 accumulation, metabolism, and thyroid toxicity in juvenile and adult life stages of fish using the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) as a model. BDE-209 bioaccumulated and was debrominated to several reductive metabolites ranging from penta- to octaBDEs in both juvenile and adult fish exposed to BDE-209. In addition, thyroid hormone regulation in juvenile and adult male fathead minnows was severely disrupted by BDE-209 at low, environmentally relevant exposures. In juvenile minnows, the activity of dio enzymes (T4-outer ring deiodination; T4-ORD and T4-inner ring deiodination; T4-IRD) declined by ~74% upon oral doses of 9.8 ± 0.2 µg/g wet weight (ww) food at 3% body weight (bw)/day for 28 days, compared to controls. Declines in dio activity were accompanied by thyroid follicle hypertrophy indicative of over-stimulation and injury. In addition to thyroid disruption, a distinctive liver phenotype characterized by vacuolated hepatocyte nuclei was measured in ~48% of hepatocytes from treated fish that was not observed in controls. </p><p>Under the third research aim, adult male fathead minnows received dietary treatments of BDE-209 at a low dose (95.3 ± 0.41 ng/g-food at 3% bw/day) and a high dose (10.1 ± 0.10 µg/g-food at 3% bw/day) for 28 days followed by a 14-day depuration period to evaluate recovery. Compared to negative controls, adult male fish exposed orally to BDE-209 at the low dose tested for 28 days experienced a 53% and 46% decline in circulating total T4 and T3, respectively, while fish at the high BDE-209 dose tested had total T4 and T3 deficits of 59% and 62%, respectively. Depressed levels of plasma thyroid hormones were accompanied by a 45-50% decline in the rate of T4-ORD in brains of all treatments by day 14 of the exposure. The decreased T4-ORD continued in the brain at day 28 with a ~65% decline measured at both BDE-209 doses. BDE-209 exposures also caused transient, tissue-specific upregulations of relative mRNA transcripts encoding dio enzymes (dio1, dio2), thyroid hormone receptors (TR&alpha, TR&beta), and thyroid hormone transporters (MCT8, OATP1c1) in the brain and liver in patterns that varied with time and dose, possibly as a compensatory response to hypothyroidism. In addition, thyroid perturbations at the low dose tested generally were equal to those measured at the high dose tested, suggesting non-linear relationships between PBDE exposures and thyroid dysfunction in adult fish. Thus, mechanisms for BDE-209 induced disruption of thyroid regulation can be proposed in adult male minnows that involve altered patterns of thyroid hormone signaling at several important steps in their transport and activation. </p><p>A growing body of evidence describing PBDE toxicity in biota, including data generated here, along with studies showing continued and rising PBDE body burdens, raises concern for human and wildlife health. Long delays in removing PBDEs from the market, their ongoing presence in many products still in use, and their active use outside the U.S. and European Union will leave a lasting legacy of rising contamination unless more concerted regulatory and policy actions are taken to reduce future exposures and harm.</p> / Dissertation

There is a chronic lack of donor hearts to meet the need for heart transplant both in the US and worldwide. Further, the use of available hearts is limited by the short period between collection and implantation during which the heart can be safely preserved ex vivo. Using mid-thermic Langendorff machine perfusion, we have been able to preserve the metabolic function of a healthy heart for up to 8 hours, twice the limit for current static cold storage. We have also been able to preserve the metabolic function of a damaged DCD Heart collected 30 minutes after cardiac arrest for a period of 8 hours. We further investigated whether it was possible to improve the preservation of DCD heart using treatment with 10 μM Triiodothyronine to stimulate the tissue metabolism and we did find a reduction in damage markers in the treated DCD hearts as compared to the untreated group.

Thyroid hormone (TH) signaling is conserved across vertebrates, where it is important for normal growth and development, particularly in the perinatal period. TH has an additional critical role in amphibian metamorphosis as the sole signal that initiates the transition from a larval tadpole to juvenile frog. Premetamorphic tadpoles have a thyroid gland but are functionally athyroid, yet can be induced to undergo precocious metamorphosis by exogenous TH administration. This essential dependence upon TH makes amphibian metamorphosis an excellent model to study TH signaling. Metamorphosis is sensitive to environmental stimuli such as temperature. Low temperature delays or slows metamorphosis, whereas high temperature advances or accelerates it. Whether a temperature is considered low or high varies by species and is related to its natural habitat. In temperate climes the North American bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, does not undergo natural or precocious metamorphosis at low winter temperatures of 4-5°C. Tadpoles injected with TH at low temperature essentially clear it from their bodies after 60-80 days, but some manner of TH signaling has occurred such that they rapidly execute metamorphosis if returned to 20-25°C. This apparent molecular memory is poorly understood, but there is evidence that components of gene expression programs may be involved. This thesis investigated the role of these factors in the molecular memory of TH formed at low temperature in the liver, brain, lung, back skin, and tail fin of Rana catesbeiana. The results suggested that TH receptor beta (thrb), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein 1 (cebp1), and Krüppel-like factor 9 (klf9) may contribute to the molecular memory to different extents in each tissue, and that TH-induced basic leucine zipper-containing protein (thibz) may have an important role in this process for every tissue examined. Assessment of additional genes was hampered by the limited genetic resources available for this species, so de novo high throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) techniques were explored to alleviate this limitation. Trans-ABySS sequence assembly software produced a high quality Rana catesbeiana liver transcriptome that was annotated by BLAST alignment to established sequence databases and resulted in a more than ten-fold increase in Rana catesbeiana sequence information. This approach was supplemented with a software pipeline that was used to refine replicate Rana catesbeiana back skin assemblies, and by construction of a Bullfrog Annotation Resource for the Transcriptome (BART) that was used to quickly annotate more than 97% of the assembled back skin sequences. In the future, the Rana catesbeiana transcriptome sequence resources can be leveraged to identify additional genes that may be involved in formation of the TH molecular memory, and chromatin immunoprecipitation could help characterize the factors and epigenetic marks in the promoter regions of these genes. Elucidation of the molecular memory mechanism provides a means to uncover key events in TH signaling. / Graduate