Thyroid hormones (THs) exert a broad range of actions on development, growth, and cell differentiation by both genomic and nongenomic mechanisms. THs regulate lymphocyte function, but the participation of nongenomic actions is still unknown. Here the contribution of both genomic and nongenomic effects on TH-induced division of T cells was studied by using free and noncell permeable THs coupled to agarose (TH-ag). THs-ag led to cell division, but to a lesser extent than free hormones. THs induced nongenomically the rapid translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) ζ isoform to cell membranes, extracellular-signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) phosphorylation and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation. The signaling cascade include sphingomyelinases acting up-stream the activation of PKCζ isoform, while ERK and NF-κB are activated downstream this PKC isoenzyme. Both free and THs-ag increased the protein and mRNA levels of TH nuclear receptor TRα1, while only free hormones incremented the inducible NOS gene and protein levels as well as a calcium independent NOS activity. Both effects were blunted by PKCζ inhibition. These results indicate that THs, by triggering a nongenomic signaling cascade that involves Smases-mediated activation of PKCζ, lead to ERK 1/2 and NF-κB activation and to the genomic increase of TRs and the inducible nitric oxide synthase protein and mRNA levels, improving T lymphocyte proliferation. These finding not only contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms involved in TH modulation of lymphocyte physiology, but would also point out for the first time the interplay between genomic and nongenomic TH actions in T cells.
We have shown in vitro that thyroid hormones (THs) regulate the balance between proliferation and apoptosis of T lymphoma cells. The effects of THs on tumor development have been studied, but the results are still controversial. Herein, we show the modulatory action of thyroid status on the in vivo growth of T lymphoma cells. For this purpose, euthyroid, hypothyroid, and hyperthyroid mice received inoculations of EL4 cells to allow the development of solid tumors. Tumors in the hyperthyroid animals exhibited a higher growth rate, as evidenced by the early appearance of palpable solid tumors and the increased tumor volume. These results are consistent with the rate of cell division determined by staining tumor cells with carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester. Additionally, hyperthyroid mice exhibited reduced survival. Hypothyroid mice did not differ significantly from the euthyroid controls with respect to these parameters. Additionally, only tumors from hyperthyroid animals had increased expression levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and active caspase 3. Differential expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins was also observed. The levels of cyclins D1 and D3 were augmented in the tumors of the hyperthyroid animals, whereas the cell cycle inhibitors p16/INK4A (CDKN2A) and p27/Kip1 (CDKN1B) and the tumor suppressor p53 (TRP53) were increased in hypothyroid mice. Intratumoral and peritumoral vasculogenesis was increased only in hyperthyroid mice. Therefore, we propose that the thyroid status modulates the in vivo growth of EL4 T lymphoma through the regulation of cyclin, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, and tumor suppressor gene expression, as well as the stimulation of angiogenesis.
T cell lymphoma phenotype is paradoxically influenced by thyroid status. Hyperthyroidism favors tumor growth and hypothyroidism rises tumor dissemination. Thyroid status affects the distribution of immune cell types in the tumor milieu. Thyroid status also modifies the nature of local and systemic immune responses.
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