Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Overt hypothyroidism (OH) has repeatedly been associated with a number of potential lethal conditions. However, it is still debated whether OH is linked with increased mortality. Moreover, a link between OH and mortality could be the result of common genetic and environmental factors affecting both OH and mortality. Investigating twin pairs discordant for OH can minimize this potential confounding. Our objective was to investigate, at a nationwide level, whether OH...

The function of the thyroid gland is to maintain thyroid hormone (TH) levels in the blood circulation. Thyroid epithelial cells liberate TH from the precursor molecule thyroglobulin (Tg) by the combined proteolytic action of the cathepsin B, K, L, and S. Cathepsin L-deficiency in mice results in impaired processing of Tg and remnants of dead cells in the follicle lumen. Recently, we have shown that Trace amine-associated receptor 1 (Taar1) is localized on the primary cilia of ...

Cathepsin K is a cysteine protease known for its importance in bone remodelling. Inhibitors of cathepsin K are in clinical trials for osteoporosis treatment, but side effects included altered levels of related cathepsins in peripheral organs and in the central nervous system (CNS). Importantly, cathepsin K has been identified not only in osteoclasts but also in most epithelia and, recently, in brain parenchyma. Lately, we have also shown that cathepsin K deficiency in mice ind...