Expression of thyrotropin receptors in rat thymus

Thymic hyperplasia is associated with Graves' disease. It has been demonstr ated that thyrotropin receptors are expressed in human thymus, and thymic t hyrotropin receptors are suggested to be involved in the pathophysiology of Graves' disease. We have studied whether thyrotropin receptors are express ed in rat thymic tissue. Thyrotropin receptor mRNA was demonstrated in 5-da y-old, 10-day-old, 20-day-old and adult rat thymus by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Thyrotropin receptor mRNA was also demonstrated in cultured rat thymic epithelial cells. Thyrotropin stimulated cyclic AMP production in cultured rat thymic epithelial cells, suggesting l:he expres sion of functional thyrotropin receptors. The present results indicate that thyrotropin receptors are expressed in rat thymus. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scien ce Inc. All rights reserved.