Expression of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid Axis Related Genes in Human Skin
December 2002
in “
Journal of Investigative Dermatology
”
hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor TSH-R keratinocytes melanomas hair follicle melanocytes cAMP Graves' disease alopecia areata thyroglobulin sodium iodide symporter autoimmune responses thyroid hormone regulation HPT axis TSH receptor cyclic AMP autoimmune conditions thyroid pathways
TLDR Thyroid-related genes are active in skin cells and may affect autoimmune conditions.
The study investigated the expression of genes related to the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid (HPT) axis in human skin, revealing that thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSH-R) and related genes were expressed in various skin cells, including keratinocytes and melanomas, but not in hair follicle melanocytes. TSH-R was functionally active, as shown by cAMP production, and its presence in skin cells suggested potential links to autoimmune conditions like Graves' disease and alopecia areata. The study also found that some TSH-R-regulated genes, such as thyroglobulin and sodium iodide symporter, were expressed in TSH-R positive skin cell lines, indicating partial conservation of thyroid-related pathways in the skin. These findings suggested that TSH-R expression in skin might play a role in autoimmune responses and could be influenced by environmental factors, highlighting the skin's potential involvement in thyroid hormone regulation.
