TSH Activates Macrophage Inflammation by G13- and G15-dependent Pathways

Chongbo Yang; Zhao He; Qunye Zhang; Ming Lu; Jiajun Zhao; Wenbin Chen; Ling Gao

doi:10.1210/endocr/bqab077

TSH Activates Macrophage Inflammation by G13- and G15-dependent Pathways

Endocrinology. 2021 Aug 1;162(8):bqab077. doi: 10.1210/endocr/bqab077.

Authors

Chongbo Yang¹, Zhao He^{1

2}, Qunye Zhang^{2

3}, Ming Lu¹, Jiajun Zhao¹, Wenbin Chen⁴, Ling Gao⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Key Laboratory of Endocrinology and Lipid Metabolism, Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shandong Academy of Clinical Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China.
² Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
³ Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Health, the State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
⁴ Scientific Center, Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China.

PMID: 33851697
DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab077

Abstract

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) treatment activates inhibitor of NF-κB/nuclear factor κB (IκB/NFκB) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-P38 in macrophages, but how these pathways are activated, and how they contribute to the proinflammatory effect of TSH on macrophages remain unknown. The TSH receptor (TSHR) is coupled to 4 subfamilies of G proteins (Gs, Gi/o, Gq/11, and G12/13) for its downstream signaling. This study investigated the G protein subtypes responsible for the proinflammatory effect of TSH on macrophages. qPCR showed that Gi2, Gi3, Gas, Gq, G11, G12, G13, and G15 are abundantly expressed by macrophages. The contribution of different G protein pathways to the proinflammatory effect was studied by the corresponding inhibitors or siRNA interference. While TSH-induced IκB phosphorylation was not inhibited by Gs inhibitor NF449, Gi inhibitor pertussis toxin, or Gq or G11 siRNA, it was blocked by phospholipase C inhibitor U73122 or G15 siRNA interference. TSH-induced ERK and P38 phosphorylation was blocked by G13 but not G12 siRNA interference. Interference of either G13 or G15 could block the proinflammatory effect of TSH on macrophages. The present study demonstrate that TSH activates macrophage inflammation by the G13/ERK-P38/Rho GTPase and G15/phospholipase C (PLC)/protein kinases C (PKCs)/IκB pathways.

Keywords: GPCR; TSH; cell signaling; macrophage.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, G12-G13 / metabolism*
I-kappa B Proteins / metabolism
MAP Kinase Signaling System
Macrophages / metabolism*
Mice
RAW 264.7 Cells
Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism
Thyrotropin / metabolism*
Type C Phospholipases / metabolism

Substances

I-kappa B Proteins
Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
Thyrotropin
Type C Phospholipases
GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, G12-G13