[Gene and protein expression of thyrotropin-receptor in retro-bulbar tissue from thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate gene and protein expression level of thyrotropin-receptor (TSHR) in retro-bulbar connective tissue and fat tissue in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO).


METHODS
Retro-bulbar tissues specimens were obtained from 11 cases of TAO patients and 10 control cases during the operation. RNA was extracted from the tissue specimens using single-step method of acid guanidinium-thiocyanate-phenol-chloroform extraction and TSHR mRNA was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Immunochemistry staining was performed in patients expressed TSHR, using a mouse polyclonal anti-TSHR peptide antibody to observe protein expression level of TSHR.


RESULTS
The size of TSHR mRNA segment is 521 bp. The rate of TSHR mRNA expression in TAO retro-bulbar tissue was 91% and was 20% in the control cases, the former was significantly greater than the later. Protein expression rate was 66.7% in TAO patients, and was negative in the controls.


CONCLUSIONS
High TSHR mRNA expression level and protein level in TAO retro-bulbar tissue and no expression in control tissue indicate that TSHR exists as a common antigen in the orbit and thyroid, and plays a key role in the pathogenesis of TAO.
Sun
Feng-yuan
FY
Department of Ophthalmology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China. sfyeye@sina.com
Pan
Ye
Y
Song
Guo-xiang
GX
Chang
Ji-wu
JW
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D049970:Graves Ophthalmopathy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009915:Orbit / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011989:Receptors, Thyrotropin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011989:Receptors, Thyrotropin