Activation of adrenal adenyl cyclase by anti-thyroid plasma membrane antibodies.

We have previously shown that IgG isolated from rabbit anti-bovine thyroid plasma membrane (anti-BTPM) antiserum exhibits properties similar to thyroid stimulating antibodies (TSAb) in that it activates thyroid adenyl cyclase. In this study, the organ non-specificity of this reaction was investigated. It was observed that anti-BTPM IgG stimulated not only adenyl cyclase of bovine thyroid but also that of the adrenal. The stimulatory activities on the thyroid and adrenal adenyl cyclase were abolished by absorption of the IgG with bovine adrenal plasma membrane (BAPM). These results indicate that anti-BTPM antibodies, similar to TSAb, exert both thyroidal and extra-thyroidal effects. Thus anti-BTPM antibodies may be directed against antigenic determinants that are common to both thyroid and adrenal plasma membranes. Like the anti-BTPM IgG, anti-BAPM IgG also activated both thyroid and adrenal adenyl cyclase. However, when IgG of the anti-BAPM antiserum was absorbed with thyroid plasma membranes, only the thyroid, but not the adrenal stimulating activity was abolished. It was concluded that the anti-BAPM antiserum contained antibodies directed against membrane antigens specific for the adrenal as well as common antigens shared by the thyroid.