Researchers Create Thyroid Cells from Human Stem Cells

Researchers have differentiated human embryonic stem cells into thyroid cells for the first time, according to a report here. By overexpressing two transcription factors -- PAX8 and NKX2-1 -- Terry Davies, MD, of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, and colleagues said they were able to induce stem cells into thyroid cells. They reported their results at the American Thyroid Association meeting. Exposing the differentiated cells to activin A and then thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) further matured them into functional thyroid follicle cells, Davies told MedPage Today. http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/ATA/48361?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2014-11-03&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_source=ST&eun=g721819d0r&userid=721819&email=amydugan2%40gmail.com&mu_id=5883165&utm_term=Daily