Iodide deficiency-induced angiogenic stimulus in the thyroid occurs via HIF- and ROS-dependent VEGF-A secretion from thyrocytes

Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2009 Jun;296(6):E1414-22. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.90876.2008. Epub 2009 Mar 31.

Abstract

Vascular supply is an obvious requirement for all organs. In addition to oxygen and nutrients, blood flow also transports essential trace elements. Iodine, which is a key element in thyroid hormone synthesis, is one of them. An inverse relationship exists between the expansion of the thyroid microvasculature and the local availability of iodine. This microvascular trace element-dependent regulation is unique and contributes to keep steady the iodide delivery to the thyroid. Signals involved in this regulation, such as VEGF-A, originate from thyrocytes as early TSH-independent responses to iodide scarcity. The question raised in this paper is how thyrocytes, facing an acute drop in intracellular stores of iodine, generate angiogenic signals acting on adjacent capillaries. Using in vitro models of rat and human thyroid cells, we show for the first time that the deficit in iodine is related to the release of VEGF-A via a reactive oxygen species/hypoxia-inducible factor-1-dependent pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Gene Expression / physiology
  • Goiter, Nodular / metabolism
  • Goiter, Nodular / pathology
  • Goiter, Nodular / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / genetics
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / metabolism*
  • Iodine / deficiency*
  • Iodine / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / physiology*
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology
  • Rats
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Sodium Iodide / pharmacology*
  • Thyroid Gland* / blood supply
  • Thyroid Gland* / cytology
  • Thyroid Gland* / physiology
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism*

Substances

  • HIF1A protein, human
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Iodine
  • Sodium Iodide