Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors and Thyroid Disorders

• Published in: ENDOCRINE JOURNAL 2001, Vol.48(6), pp.635-646
• Main Author: SATO, KANJI
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cyst fluid; Endothelial Growth Factors - blood; Endothelial Growth Factors - genetics; Endothelial Growth Factors - metabolism; Gene Expression Regulation; Graves Disease - blood; Graves Disease - metabolism; Graves Disease - pathology; Graves' disease; Humans; Iodide; Iodides - metabolism; Iodides - pharmacology; Lymphokines - blood; Lymphokines - genetics; Lymphokines - metabolism; RNA, Messenger - chemistry; RNA, Messenger - genetics; Thyroid carcinoma; Thyroid Gland - blood supply; Thyroid Neoplasms - blood; Thyroid Neoplasms - metabolism; Thyroid Neoplasms - pathology; Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
• ISSN: 0918-8959; 1348-4540
• DOI: 10.1507/endocrj.48.635

Using thyroid follicles in suspension culture, in which thyroid function is maintained for a couple of weeks, while preserving Wolff-Chaikoff effect and responding to physiological concentrations of TSH (0.1μU/ml), we have partly elucidated the pathophysiology of increased blood flow in Graves' thyroid gland. Furthermore, we are investigating the mechanism by which iodide inhibits thyroid blood flow. Since administration of a large dose of iodide prior to subtotal thyroidectomy decreases thyroid blood flow and reduces operative morbidity and mortality in patients with Graves' disease, it is important to elucidate the mechanism by which thyroid blood flow is regulated. Furthermore, this research field will be clinically important to develop new strategies for the treatment of hypervascular and aggressive thyroid carcinoma, particularly anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. A recent report that anti-VEGF antibody reduced cancer growth in nude mice transplanted with human thyroid carcinoma is an indication this field holds for future studies [56].