Researchers Create Thyroid Cells From Human Stem Cells

"We've shown very clearly that by pushing human embryonic stem cells into thyroid cells, these cells form follicles, and they function," Davies said. "They take up radioiodine and look like normal thyroid cells."

"What's interesting is that while putting transcription factors into human embryonic stem cells does start the program, those cells don't make thyroglobulin," Davies said. "They show a very little bit of thyroglobulin mRNA, but we've not been able to detect protein in those cells. We have to mature the cell further."

To do that, Davies and his team exposed the cells to activin A, moving them into a different differentiation phase in which they transformed into endodermal cells. The final step is to "hit them with thyroid stimulating hormone," Davies said.

"That activates the TSH receptor and takes them through to make thyroid follicles," he said. "Those thyroid follicles express lots of thyroglobulin and lots of thyroid peroxidase, and they take up radioiodine. So they seem to be good-looking thyroid follicles."

Source / Read more: Medpagetoday.com