On the Origin of Cells and Derivation of Thyroid Cancer: C Cell Story Revisited

We will highlight and put into perspective new lineage tracing data from genetic studies in mice indicating that the genuine progenitors to C cells arise in the endoderm germ layer. This overturns the current concept of a neural crest origin of thyroid C cells referred to in every textbook and dedic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European thyroid journal 2016-01, Vol.5 (2), p.79-93
Main Authors: Nilsson, Mikael, Williams, Dillwyn
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Basic Thyroidology / Review
CALCITONIN-PRODUCING
Cell and Molecular Biology
Cell- och molekylärbiologi
CELLS
ENDOCRINE NEOPLASIA TYPE-2
Endoderm
FOLLICULAR CARCINOMA
Immunologi inom det medicinska området
Immunology in the medical area
MIXED MEDULLARY
Mixed medullary-follicular carcinoma
Neural crest
NEURAL CREST ORIGIN
Neuroendocrine tumours
OF-THE-LITERATURE
RET PROTOONCOGENE
Thyroid C
TRANSGENIC MICE
ULTIMOBRANCHIAL GLANDS
UNILATERAL RENAL AGENESIS
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Summary:We will highlight and put into perspective new lineage tracing data from genetic studies in mice indicating that the genuine progenitors to C cells arise in the endoderm germ layer. This overturns the current concept of a neural crest origin of thyroid C cells referred to in every textbook and dedicated paper to this very day. As will become apparent, except for a single experiment, the neural crest theory has little or no support when the evolution and development of calcitonin-producing cells in the entire chordate family are considered. Instead, a unifying origin of all cells of the ultimobranchial bodies reopens questions on the histogenesis of certain thyroid pathologies previously difficult to explain. On this aspect, medullary thyroid cancer shows a stronger connection to gut neuroendocrine tumours than previously recognized. It is envisaged that novel factors implicated in C cell-derived tumour growth and progression will be discovered as the mechanisms that regulate lineage expansion of embryonic C cell precursors from pharyngeal endoderm are uncovered. We will not discuss why C cells go to the bother of burying themselves in the thyroid - this remains a mystery.
ISSN:2235-0640
2235-0802
DOI:10.1159/000447333