Linsitinib Decreases Thyrotropin-Induced Thyroid Hormone Synthesis by Inhibiting Crosstalk Between Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone and Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Receptors in Human Thyrocytes In Vitro and In Vivo in Mice.

Background

Thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) have been shown to crosstalk in primary cultures of human thyrocytes (hThyros) and Graves' orbital fibroblasts. The phenomenon of TSHR/IGF-1R crosstalk has been largely studied in the pathogenesis of thyroid eye disease (TED) in human orbital fibroblasts. Here, we investigated the effects of inhibiting the IGF-1R-mediated contribution to crosstalk by linsitinib (Lins), a small-molecule IGF-1R kinase inhibitor, on TSH-induced regulation of thyroperoxidase (TPO) and thyroglobulin (TG) mRNAs and proteins in hThyros in vitro, and on TPO and TG mRNAs and free thyroxine (fT4) levels in vivo in mice.

Methods

Steady-state levels of mRNAs of TPO and TG in hThyros in vitro and mouse thyroid glands were measured by RT-qPCR. Human TG (hTG) and human TPO (hTPO) proteins in human thyroid cell cultures were measured by Western blot or ELISA. Translation rates of hTG were quantified by stable isotope labeling by amino acids method (SILAC). Thyroidal mouse Tpo (mTpo) and Tg (mTg) mRNAs and fT4 in mice were assessed after Lins administration on 3 consecutive days followed by an intraperitoneal dose of bovine TSH (bTSH) 3 hours prior to drawing blood.

Results

In primary cultures of hThyros, Lins inhibited bTSH-induced upregulation of hTPO mRNA by 61.5%, and hTPO protein was inhibited by 42.4%. There was no effect of Lins on hTG mRNA, but Lins inhibited the upregulation of secreted and cell-associated hTG protein by 50.1% and 42.2%, respectively, by inhibiting hTG mRNA translation. mTpo mRNA measured in thyroid glands after treatment with Lins was reduced by 31.5%. There was no effect of Lins on mTg mRNA, however, Lins decreased fT4 levels in mice under basal (endogenous mTSH levels) and bTSH-treated conditions.

Conclusions

The IGF-1R antagonist Lins inhibited bTSH-stimulated hTG and hTPO protein expression in primary cultures of hThyros and fT4 levels in mice. We suggest that thyroid function studies be monitored when Lins is administered to humans, for example, if it is used to treat TED.