Growing Thyroid Tissue in the Spleen to Restore Function

Over the past decade or so, researchers have demonstrated that it is possible to use existing organs as bioreactors to host organoids derived from other organ tissues. Functional liver tissue can be grown in lymph nodes, as can thymus tissue. Here, researchers show that thyroid organoids can be grown in the spleen. This is intended to help patients who have undergone thyroidectomy, but will this capability also be useful in the context of the aging of the thyroid gland? Interestingly, the aging of the thyroid is poorly understood in comparison to the interaction of aging with larger organs such as liver, kidney, or heart. The thyroid produces important hormones, and those levels change with age, but it is unclear as to whether this is a dysfunction or a compensatory response. Patients undergoing total thyroidectomy typically require lifelong oral levothyroxine sodium (L-T4) treatment. While effective in maintaining basic serum hormone levels, this treatment falls short in restoring the dynamic responsive regulatory capacity of triiodothyronine (T3), essential for critical physiologic regulatory functions. Clinical data indicates that T3 deficiency can elevate the risk of hypertension, cardiac dysfunction, and other metabolic or mental health conditions. Researchers have proposed an innovative solution to thyroid transplantation challenges by growing the thyroid in the spleen. Leveraging the spleen's unique properties, characterized by a loose structure and ric...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs