Human trabecular meshwork cells as a thyroid hormone target tissue: presence of functional thyroid hormone receptors

Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 1999 Mar;237(3):231-40. doi: 10.1007/s004170050224.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine whether human trabecular meshwork cells (HTM) are a potential target tissue for thyroid hormone (3,3',5-triiodothyronine, T3).

Methods: Cultured HTM were assayed for the presence of thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) and retinoid X receptors (RXRs) by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detected TR and RXR mRNA, and by immunohistochemistry to detect nuclear TR and RXR proteins. Functionality of the TR was determined by analysis of 125I-T3 binding affinity and capacity in HTM nuclear extracts. Effects of T3 on modulation of hyaluronic acid (HA) levels in HTM were measured as a function of dose and duration of T3 administration.

Results: Analysis of RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry demonstrated that cultured HTM expressed TRalpha1, TRalpha2, and TRbeta1 but not TRbeta2; and RXRalpha but not RXRbeta and RXRgamma isoforms. Saturation binding and analysis of 125I-T3 to HTM nuclear extracts revealed Kd of 57 pM. The number of T3 binding sites extrapolated from a Scatchard plot was 7.3 x 10(10)/microg of HTM nuclear protein extract. T3 supplementation reduced the concentration of HA in the cell medium by 32-43% compared to cells grown in the absence of T3.

Conclusions: Cultured HTM express three TR isoforms and one RXR isoform, bind T3 with an affinity similar to that of TR in responsive cells, and modulate their HA production in response to T3. These findings indicate that the human trabecular meshwork tissue has the capacity to respond to thyroid hormones.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cell Count / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured / drug effects
  • DNA Primers / chemistry
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Humans
  • Nuclear Proteins / drug effects
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid / drug effects
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid / genetics
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid / metabolism
  • Receptors, Thyroid Hormone / drug effects
  • Receptors, Thyroid Hormone / genetics
  • Receptors, Thyroid Hormone / metabolism*
  • Retinoid X Receptors
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Trabecular Meshwork / cytology
  • Trabecular Meshwork / drug effects
  • Trabecular Meshwork / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / drug effects
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Triiodothyronine / pharmacology

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid
  • Receptors, Thyroid Hormone
  • Retinoid X Receptors
  • Transcription Factors
  • Triiodothyronine