Identification of thyroid hormone receptors in the human larynx.
OBJECTIVE
Thyroid hormone is essential for normal development, growth, and function of the majority of tissues. Among the many clinical signs associated with hypothyroidism, alterations in the voice may occur even in cases of mild thyroid failure, suggesting that the larynx is a target tissue for thyroid hormone. The objective of our study is to further understand the effects of thyroid hormone on the larynx by first identifying the presence and locations of its receptors.


METHODS
Two human cadaveric larynges (one male and one female) were harvested, formalin-fixed, and paraffin-embedded. Sections were immunostained with antibodies reactive with the two identified thyroid hormone receptors, TR-alpha and TR-beta. The slides were examined under light microscopy.


RESULTS
Both male and female specimens revealed consistent patterns of staining for thyroid hormone receptors. The staining pattern for TR-alpha included the fibrous connective tissue of the lamina propria, the cartilage, and the glandular elements. The staining pattern for TR-beta included the fibrous connective tissue of the lamina propria only. No receptors were identified in the respiratory mucosa or muscle.


CONCLUSIONS
Thyroid hormone receptors are present in both the male and the female human larynx. These findings imply a role for thyroid hormone within the human larynx, through both TR-alpha and TR-beta.
Altman
Kenneth W
KW
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Haines
G Kenneth
GK
Vakkalanka
Sarah K
SK
Keni
Sanjay P
SP
Kopp
Peter A
PA
Radosevich
James A
JA
D002356:Cartilage / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D046508:Culture Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D011988:Receptors, Thyroid Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism
D011988:Receptors, Thyroid Hormone