We investigated the presence of P2 receptors (P2Rs) in human thyrocytes and their possible involvement in the modulation of cytokine release. P2Rs expression was assessed by RT-PCR and, when possible, by immunoblotting. Human primary thyrocytes express the mRNA for the following P2X and P2Y subtypes: P2X(3), P2X(5), P2X(6), P2X(7), and P2Y(1), P2Y(2), P2Y(4), and P2Y(11). Stimulation with extracellular nucleotides of fura-2-loaded thyrocytes triggered an intracellular Ca(2+) signal, suggesting expression of functional receptors. Thyrocytes spontaneously released the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6. The ATP-hydrolyzing enzyme apyrase reduced basal IL-6 release, whereas extracellular ATP dose-dependently increased IL-6 secretion. Uridine 5'-triphosphate was also an effective stimulus, whereas benzoyl-ATP was ineffective, suggesting a P2Y- rather than P2X-modulated response. Finally, TSH reduced both the intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)) rise and IL-6 release triggered by P2Rs stimulation. In conclusion, we provide functional, pharmacological, and biochemical evidence that human primary thyrocytes express P2YR and P2XR subtypes, coupled to increases in ([Ca(2+)](i)) and secretion of IL-6. P2R-dependent modulation of IL-6 release from human thyrocytes suggests a novel mechanism whereby an inflammatory and/or immune-mediated damage can be initiated and amplified in the thyroid.