Thyroid hormone signaling in human ovarian surface epithelial cells.
BACKGROUND
Ovarian surface epithelial (OSE) cells express multiple nuclear hormone receptor genes, including those encoding thyroid hormone and estrogen receptors (TR and ER, respectively). Ovarian cancer is hormone-dependent, and epidemiological evidence links hyperthyroidism, inflammation of the ovarian surface, and increased risk of ovarian cancer.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to assess T3 action on human OSE cells in vitro, asking 1) is there evidence for (pre)receptor control, 2) is T3 inflammatory, and 3) does T3 affect ER expression?


METHODS
Immunohistochemical analysis of fixed human ovaries and in vitro analysis of human OSE primary cell cultures were performed.


METHODS
Twelve women aged 29-50 yr (median, 41 yr) undergoing elective gynecological surgery for nonmalignant conditions were studied.


RESULTS
Messenger RNA transcripts for TRalpha1, TRalpha2, TRbeta1, and T3 activating deiodinase 2 and inactivating deiodinase 3 were present in primary OSE cell cultures by RT-PCR. TRalpha and TRbeta proteins were also localized to intact OSE by immunohistochemistry. Treatment of OSE cell cultures for 24 h with T3 caused dose-dependent mRNA expression of inflammation-associated genes: cyclooxygenase-2, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and 11betahydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1, determined by quantitative RT-PCR. Finally, treatment with T3 dose dependently stimulated ERalpha mRNA expression without affecting ERbeta1 or ERbeta2.


CONCLUSIONS
The ovarian surface is a potential T3 target. T3 exerts direct inflammatory effects on OSE cell function in vitro. OSE cell responses to T3 include increased expression of ERalpha mRNA, which encodes the ER isoform most strongly associated with ovarian cancer. This could help explain suggested epidemiological links between hyperthyroidism and ovarian cancer.
Rae
M T
MT
The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Centre for Reproductive Biology, The University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom.
Gubbay
O
O
Kostogiannou
A
A
Price
D
D
Critchley
H O D
HO
Hillier
S G
SG
D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000150:complications; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase / Q000235:genetics; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics; D011988:Receptors, Thyroid Hormone / Q000235:genetics; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000494:pharmacology*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011988:Receptors, Thyroid Hormone; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9