Endocrine Abstracts

The autoimmune regulator protein (AIRE) is a critical component of thymic education which leads to immune tolerance. Its recent detection in extrathymic tissues has prompted inquiry into potential roles for this protein beyond the thymus. We have reported detecting AIRE in circulating CD34+ fibrocytes, monocyte progenitor cells that are involved in tissue reactivity and remodeling. These fibrocytes have been detected in orbital connective tissue from individuals with thyroid a...

AIRE gene is defective in autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) disease. The disease usually starts in early childhood and is characterized by progressive autoimmune destruction of many endocrine and non-endocrine organs and, in addition, mucocutaneous candidiasis. An important characteristic is the presence of autoantibodies against multiple defined antigens. In most cases, these are tissue-specific proteins with important functions in the af...

The trace element selenium (Se) is unevenly distributed in our earth’s crust causing regional differences in soil Se concentrations. Soil Se directly affects plant Se content and thereby animal and human Se intake. Besides intake, the actual health status and genotype modify Se metabolism and expression of selenoproteins, i.e., Se status. In order to assess the individual Se status, total blood Se concentration or two circulating selenoproteins are determined. According t...