Horm Metab Res 2009; 41(7): 548-553
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1202865
Humans, Clinical

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Spiking Expression of μ-Crystallin mRNA during Treatment with Methimazole in Patients with Graves’ Hyperthyroidism

S. Suzuki 1 , M. Takei 1 , S. Nishio 1 , H. Inaba 1 , A. Sato 1 , M. Yamazaki 1 , K. Shinomiya 1 , K. Hashizume 1
  • 1Department of Aging Medicine and Geriatrics, Institute on Aging and Adaptation, Shinshu University, Graduate School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

received 21.09.2008

accepted 15.01.2009

Publication Date:
11 March 2009 (online)

Abstract

μ-Crystallin is an NADPH-dependent cytosolic T3-binding protein. A knockout study in mice showed that μ-crystallin has a physiological function as a reservoir of T3 in the cytoplasm in vivo. Patients with nonsyndromic deafness were reported to have point mutations in the μ-crystallin gene. The expression of μ-crystallin is regulated by multiple factors. The present study was performed to determine whether thyroid function is related to the expression of μ-crystallin mRNA in peripheral mononuclear cells. We examined 23 normal healthy male and female subjects and 15 patients with Graves’ disease. μ-Crystallin protein expression was determined immunohistochemically in peripheral mononuclear cells. The expression of μ-crystallin mRNA was assessed by reverse transcription of total RNA from peripheral mononuclear cells followed by quantitative PCR. μ-Crystallin protein was detected in peripheral mononuclear cells. The mRNA expression was negatively correlated with age in normal female subjects. The values in female subjects were significantly higher than those in males. The values were positively correlated with serum TSH concentration. The values of the thyrotoxic patients with Graves’ disease were lower than those in healthy subjects. A transient increase in μ-crystallin expression was observed within 14–42 days after the initial treatment with antithyroid medication. Thyroid hormone inversely relates to the expression of μ-crystallin mRNA in euthyroid mononuclear cells. Abrupt suppression of thyroid function leads to overexpression of μ-crystallin mRNA in thyrotoxic mononuclear cells. Thyroid hormone-regulated μ-crystallin expression may control thyroid hormone action via the intracytoplasmic T3 capacity.

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Correspondence

S. SuzukiMD, PhD 

Department of Aging Medicine and Geriatrics

Institute on Aging and Adaptation

Shinshu University

Graduate School of Medicine

3-1-1, Asahi

Matsumoto

Nagano 390-8621

Japan

Phone: +81/263/37 26 86

Fax: +81/263/37 27 10

Email: suzukis@shinshu-u.ac.jp