Thyroid Hormone and Thyrotropin Regulate Intracellular Free Calcium Concentrations in Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes: In Vivo and in vitro Studies

Intracellular free calcium concentrations ([Ca⁺⁺]₁) were studied in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) from 13 athyreotic patients who had been previously treated by total thyroidectomy and radioiodine therapy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma, and from age- and sex-matched euthyroid healthy controls. Patients were studied twice, when hypothyroid (visit 1) and after restoration of euthyroidism by L-T₄ TSH-suppressive therapy (visit 2). PMNs from patients at visit 1 had significantly lower resting [Ca⁺⁺]₁ levels compared to both visit 2 and controls. Values at visit 2 did not differ from those of the controls. Stimulus-induced [Ca⁺⁺]₁ rise was also significantly blunted at visit 1 and normalized at visit 2, possibly through a differential contribution of distinct intracellular Ca⁺⁺ stores, as suggested by the response pattern to the chemotactic agent, N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP), to the selective SERCA pump inhibitor, thapsigargine, and to the mitochondrial uncoupler, carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenyl-hydrazone (FCCP). In vitro treatment of PMNs from healthy subjects with high TSH concentrations impaired intracellular Ca⁺⁺ store function. Both resting [Ca⁺⁺]₁ levels and fMLP-induced [Ca⁺⁺]₁ rise increased in the presence either of low-concentration TSH or of T₄, but effects of TSH and T₄ were not additive. T₃, rT₃, and TRIAC had no effect. In conclusion, this study provides evidence for a direct relationship between thyroid status and [Ca[Ca⁺⁺]₁ homeostasis in human PMNs, mainly related to direct actions of TSH and T₄ on these cells.