Interleukin-1 affects the function of cultured human thyroid cells

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Abstract
Cytokines are peptide hormones essential for cellular communication in the immune response. The purpose of this study was no investigate the influence of cytokines, especially recombinant interleukin 1.beta. (rIL-.beta.), on human thyroid cells. Thyroglobulin (Tg) was measured by a double antibody radioimmunoassay, and cyclic AMP (cAMP) by a competitive protein binding assay. Supernatants from unstimulated and phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated blood mononuclear cells were added to human thyroid cells cultured in monolayers. A dose-dependent inhibition of the secretion of Tg and cAMP was demonstrated. Both subcultured and primary cultured cells incubated with rIL-1.beta. at pharmacological levels (10-1-102 U/ml) exhibited an inhibition of Tg and cAMP secretion, while at physiological levels (10-5-10-3 U/ml), the secretion of Tg was enhanced. The similar stimulation of cAMP was demonstrated in subcultures. These in vitro studies suggest that IL-1.beta. may play a role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid diseases. Further, the stimulations at low concentrations indicate that IL-1.beta. may regulate the function of the thyroid gland under physiological conditions.