Regulation of Thyroid Hormone Levels by Hypothalamic Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons. 2023

Ricardo H Costa-E-Sousa, and Rodrigo Rorato, and Anthony N Hollenberg, and Kristen R Vella
Department of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition, and Weight Management, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) have been identified as direct regulators of thyrotropin (TSH) and thyroid hormone (TH) levels. They play a significant role in context of negative feedback by TH at the level of TRH gene expression and during fasting when TH levels fall due, in part, to suppression of TRH gene expression. To test these functions directly for the first time, we used a chemogenetic approach and activated PVN TRH neurons in both fed and fasted mice. Next, to demonstrate the signals that regulate the fasting response in TRH neurons, we activated or inhibited agouti-related protein (AgRP)/neuropeptide Y (NPY) neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus of fed or fasted mice, respectively. To determine if the same TRH neurons responsive to melanocortin signaling mediate negative feedback by TH, we disrupted the thyroid hormone receptor beta (TRβ) in all melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) neurons in the PVN. Activation of TRH neurons led to increased TSH and TH levels within 2 hours demonstrating the specific role of PVN TRH neurons in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. Moreover, activation of PVN TRH neurons prevented the fall in TH levels in fasting mice. Stimulation of AgRP/NPY neurons led to a fall in TH levels despite increasing feeding. Inhibition of these same neurons prevented the fall in TH levels during a fast presumably via their ability to directly regulate PVN TRH neurons via, in part, the MC4R. Surprisingly, TH-mediated feedback was not impaired in mice lacking TRβ in MC4R neurons. TRH neurons are major regulators of the HPT axis and the fasting-induced suppression of TH levels. The latter relies, at least in part, on the activation of AgRP/NPY neurons in the arcuate nucleus. Interestingly, present data do not support an important role for TRβ signaling in regulating MC4R neurons in the PVN. Thus, it remains possible that different subsets of TRH neurons in the PVN mediate responses to energy balance and to TH feedback.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007031 Hypothalamus Ventral part of the DIENCEPHALON extending from the region of the OPTIC CHIASM to the caudal border of the MAMMILLARY BODIES and forming the inferior and lateral walls of the THIRD VENTRICLE. Lamina Terminalis,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Area,Area, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Areas, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Preoptico Hypothalamic Area,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Areas
D009474 Neurons The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM. Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D010286 Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus Nucleus in the anterior part of the HYPOTHALAMUS. Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus,Paraventricular Nucleus,Hypothalamic Nucleus, Paraventricular,Nucleus, Hypothalamic Paraventricular,Nucleus, Paraventricular,Nucleus, Paraventricular Hypothalamic,Paraventricular Nucleus, Hypothalamic
D010906 Pituitary Hormone-Releasing Hormones Peptides, natural or synthetic, that stimulate the release of PITUITARY HORMONES. They were first isolated from the extracts of the HYPOTHALAMUS; MEDIAN EMINENCE; PITUITARY STALK; and NEUROHYPOPHYSIS. In addition, some hypophysiotropic hormones control pituitary cell differentiation, cell proliferation, and hormone synthesis. Some can act on more than one pituitary hormone. Hormones, Pituitary Hormone Releasing,Hypophysiotropic Hormones,Hypothalamic Hypophysiotropic Hormone,Hypothalamic Releasing Factor,Hypothalamic Releasing Hormone,Hypothalamic Releasing Hormones,Hormone, Hypothalamic Hypophysiotropic,Hormones, Hypophysiotropic,Hypophysiotropic Hormone, Hypothalamic,Pituitary Hormone Releasing Hormones,Releasing Hormone, Hypothalamic
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013961 Thyroid Gland A highly vascularized endocrine gland consisting of two lobes joined by a thin band of tissue with one lobe on each side of the TRACHEA. It secretes THYROID HORMONES from the follicular cells and CALCITONIN from the parafollicular cells thereby regulating METABOLISM and CALCIUM level in blood, respectively. Thyroid,Gland, Thyroid,Glands, Thyroid,Thyroid Glands,Thyroids
D013963 Thyroid Hormones Natural hormones secreted by the THYROID GLAND, such as THYROXINE, and their synthetic analogs. Thyroid Hormone,Hormone, Thyroid,Hormones, Thyroid
D013972 Thyrotropin A glycoprotein hormone secreted by the adenohypophysis (PITUITARY GLAND, ANTERIOR). Thyrotropin stimulates THYROID GLAND by increasing the iodide transport, synthesis and release of thyroid hormones (THYROXINE and TRIIODOTHYRONINE). Thyrotropin consists of two noncovalently linked subunits, alpha and beta. Within a species, the alpha subunit is common in the pituitary glycoprotein hormones (TSH; LUTEINIZING HORMONE and FSH), but the beta subunit is unique and confers its biological specificity. Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone,TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone),Thyreotropin,Thyrotrophin,Hormone, Thyroid-Stimulating,Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
D013973 Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone A tripeptide that stimulates the release of THYROTROPIN and PROLACTIN. It is synthesized by the neurons in the PARAVENTRICULAR NUCLEUS of the HYPOTHALAMUS. After being released into the pituitary portal circulation, TRH (was called TRF) stimulates the release of TSH and PRL from the ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND. Protirelin,Thyroliberin,Abbott-38579,Antepan,Proterelin Tartrate,Proterelin Tartrate Hydrate,Protirelin Tartrate (1:1),Relefact TRH,Stimu-TSH,TRH Ferring,TRH Prem,Thypinone,Thyroliberin TRH Merck,Thyrotropin-Releasing Factor,Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone Tartrate,Abbott 38579,Abbott38579,Hydrate, Proterelin Tartrate,Prem, TRH,Stimu TSH,StimuTSH,TRH, Relefact,Tartrate Hydrate, Proterelin,Thyrotropin Releasing Factor,Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone,Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone Tartrate
D051379 Mice The common name for the genus Mus. Mice, House,Mus,Mus musculus,Mice, Laboratory,Mouse,Mouse, House,Mouse, Laboratory,Mouse, Swiss,Mus domesticus,Mus musculus domesticus,Swiss Mice,House Mice,House Mouse,Laboratory Mice,Laboratory Mouse,Mice, Swiss,Swiss Mouse,domesticus, Mus musculus

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