title: Effect of human chorionic gonadotropin on human thyroid tissue in vitro.
abstract: Thyroid stimulating substances other than TSH have been found in certain disease states associated with hyperthyroidism. The thyroid stimulator associated with the thyrotoxicosis of trophoblastic disease is uncertain; however, recent evidence suggests a role for hCG. To explore the thyroid stimulating properties of hCG further, we examined the ability of hCG to displace [1252]TSH from receptors on human thyroid membrane and to generate cyclic-AMP (c-AMP) from human thyroid slices. Human chorionic gonadotropin at a concentration of 40 IU/ml displaced labeled TSH from human thyroid membranes and, at a concentration of 69 IU/ml, hCG caused the generation of c-AMP in thyroid slices. These results suggest that hCG can bind to the TSH receptor on thyroid cells and can stimulate them to produce c-AMP at concentrations of hCG within the range that is found in trophoblastic disease.
mesh_terms: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D013972:Thyrotropin; D000242:Cyclic AMP