US EPA

9216818 

Journal Article 

Review 

The interdependence of the follicular, parafollicular, and mast cells in the mammalian thyroid gland: a review and a synthesis 

Kalisnik, M; Vraspirporenta, O; Khamlindtner, T; Logondermlinsek, M; Pajer, Z; Stiblarmartincic, D; Zorcpleskovic, R; Trobina, M; , 

1988 

Yes 

American Journal of Anatomy
ISSN: 0002-9106 

WILEY-LISS 

HOBOKEN 

148-157 

English 

2462344 

WOS:A1988Q308700004 

The aim of this paper is to summarize some of our quantitative descriptive and experimental studies, to discuss them in view of the literature data, and to present a synthesis of the topic. The results of stereological analysis of some tissue components of the rat thyroid gland have been compared with the results of topological studies on the parafollicular cells of various mammalian species. Localization of the parafollicular cells in the central regions of the thyroid gland lobes, where the follicular cell activity seems to be greater than in the periphery of the lobes, has led to the hypothesis that the parafollicular cells regulate (stimulate and/or suppress) the activity of the follicular cells. Long-term application and antithyroid drugs to mice and rats has shown that excessive concentrations of thyrotropin provoke hyperplasia of both the follicular cells and the intrathyroid mast cells and, transiently, of the parafollicular cells. This and some of the literature data are congruent with the hypothesis that the parafollicular and mast cells also stimulate the follicular cells by their paracrine secretions. Long-term application of antithyroid drugs to mice and rats has shown that excessive concentrations of cular cells but also probably stimulation of the follicular cells, as judged by the stereological measurements. The biological meaning of the spatial integration of follicular and parafollicular cells seems to be a functional coordination of both epithelial cell lines, supported by intrathyroid mast cells.