Endocrine Abstracts

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF aka CCN2), is known to be up-regulated by transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) and plays important roles in cell cycle control, growth, differentiation, cell adhesion, migration, angiogenesis and ECM production. CTGF is overexpressed in fibrotic disease e.g in kidney, lung, heart as well as in tumours. We have examined expression of CTGF in thyroid tissue because TGF beta is known be an autocrine factor, regulated by iodide. Immunohi...

The tyrosine kinase receptor, Tie-2, is expressed on endothelial cells where it has a role in angiogenesis in physiological and tumorigenic processes. We have shown that Tie-2 is also expressed on differentiated human thyroid follicular cells, and that its expression is increased in hyperplasia. This study aimed to elucidate the role of the Tie-2 axis in thyroid cells by examining regulation of Tie-2 expression in primary cultures of human thyroid follicular cells and the diff...