title: hNIS protein in thyroid: the iodine supply influences its expression and localization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Nonfunctioning thyroid nodules (NFTNs) display a diminished iodide-concentrating ability, owing to defective expression and cell membrane targeting of the sodium-iodide symporter (NIS). Since NIS expression is primarily modulated by thyroid iodine content in vitro and in animal models, we attempted to determine whether iodine supply influences the expression and localization of human NIS (hNIS) in NFTNs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using immunohistochemistry, we analyzed cold hyperplastic nodules and nonnodular thyroid samples (controls) from patients living in iodine-sufficient (n = 19) or severely iodine-deficient (n = 15) areas.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nodules from the iodine-sufficient area exhibited weak or absent hNIS immunostaining whereas almost all nodules from the iodine-deficient area were hNIS positive. Heterogeneous hNIS staining was common among the iodine-deficient samples (p = 0.028). hNIS was localized on membrane in all nodular samples from the iodine-deficient area and in less than 40% in the iodine-sufficient area.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  hNIS is adequately expressed and appropriately localized in NFTNs cell membrane from iodine-deficient areas and its expression in vivo is modulated by iodine supply.
authors: Department of Clinical Sciences and Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, University of Rome, La Sapienza, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Scipioni
authors: Elisabetta
authors: E
authors: Ferretti
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Soda
authors: Emanuele
authors: E
authors: Tosi
authors: Rocco
authors: R
authors: Bruno
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Costante
authors: Domenico
authors: D
authors: Meringolo
authors: Franco
authors: F
authors: Arturi
authors: Cosimo
authors: C
authors: Durante
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Amorosi
authors: Maria Pia
authors: MP
authors: Foschini
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Nardi
authors: Diego
authors: D
authors: Russo
authors: Sebastiano
authors: S
authors: Filetti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006042:Goiter / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007454:Iodides / Q000378:metabolism; D007455:Iodine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D027981:Symporters / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000378:metabolism; D000099209:Sodium-Iodide Symporters
chemical_list: D007454:Iodides; D007455:Iodine; D027981:Symporters; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D000099209:Sodium-Iodide Symporters