Evidence for several cell populations in human thyroid with distinct glycosphingolipid patterns.

Thyrocytes, which are functional cells of human thyroid, have been isolated, and their glycosphingolipid content has been analyzed in the various fractions obtained from the digested gland as well as in the tissue remaining after enzymatic treatment. The ganglioside content was not significantly different in the different fractions, with GM3 and Gd3 as major components. Analysis of neutral glycolipids revealed striking differences between isolated thyrocytes and whole thyroid. The membraneous material released from the proteinase-treated thyroid presented a pattern of monohexosylceramides clearly distinct from that of thyrocytes. The present data suggest the presence of at least two cellular populations with distinct glycolipid patterns in thyroid tissue: accessory cells containing most of the glycolipids, and thyrocytes in which the major neutral glycosphingolipid is phytosphingosine-containing glucosylceramide.