Ultrastructural and cytochemical effects of trypan blue on TSH stimulation of thyroid follicular cells.

Ultrastructural and cytochemical techniques were used to study the effects of trypan blue on the response of mouse-thyroid cells to exogenous stimulation by thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The dye delayed the response to TSH resulting in decreased colloid-droplet formation in the apical region of the cells. The dye did not stop the shift of trimetaphosphatase activity from lysosomes to phagolysosomes. The duration of the TSH-induced response was shorter in the dye treated thyroids. Small vesicles, with trimetaphosphatase reaction product, were found near Golgi elements, phagolysosomes, and the plasma membrane facing rhe intercellular space of adjacent follicle cells. Their enzyme activity was not affected by exposure to the dye. These data indicate that the primary effect of trypan blue on the response of thyroid follicle cells to TSH stimulation was reduced endocytosis in the apical region resulting in fewer colloid droplets.