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...