Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Triggers Hepatic Mitochondrial Stress through Cyclophilin D Acetylation

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Oxidative stress-related liver diseases were shown to be associated with elevated serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. Mitochondria are the main source of cellular reactive oxygen species. However, the relationship between TSH and hepatic mitochondrial stress/dysfunction and the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we focused on exploring the effects and mechanism of TSH on hepatic mitochondrial stress. METHODS: As the function of TSH is mediated through the TSH receptor (TSHR), Tshr(−/−) mice and liver-specific Tshr knockout (LKO) mice were used in our study. The thyroid-specific Tshr knockout mouse model injected with TSH (TKO+TSH) was used as a mimic for subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) patients. Hepatic mitochondrial stress and function were analyzed in these mouse models, and the expression of key genes involved in mitochondrial stress was measured. RESULTS: A relatively lower degree of mitochondrial stress was observed in the livers of Tshr(−/−) mice and LKO mice than those of their littermate counterparts. TSH caused concentration- and time-dependent effects on mitochondrial stress and cyclophilin D (CypD) acetylation in hepatocytes in vitro. Microarray and RT-PCR analyses showed that Tshr(−/−) mice had much higher lncRNA-AK044604 expression than their littermate counterparts. The use of the AK044604 overexpression plasmid and SIRT1 agonist proved that TSH aggravates CypD acetylation and mitochondrial stress via lncRNA-AK044604 and SIRT1. An inhibitor of CypD acetylation, cyclosporine A, suppressed TSH-induced hepatic mitochondrial stress and dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: TSH stimulates hepatic CypD acetylation through the lncRNA-AK044604/SIRT1/SIRT3 signaling pathway, indicating an essential role for TSH in mitochondrial stress in the liver.