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Updated: Jun 2, 2026

An Ex vivo Culture System to Study Thyroid Development
Published on: June 6, 2014
The ret protooncogene is expressed in normal human parafollicular thyroid-cells
N Fabien1, C Paulin, M Santoro
1UNIV NAPLES,FAC MED & CHIRURG 2,DIPARTIMENTO BIOL & PATOL CELLULARE & MOLEC,I-80131 NAPLES,ITALY. CTR HOSP LYON SUD,HISTOL & CYTOL LAB,F-69310 PIERRE BENITE,FRANCE. FAC MED LYON SUD,CNRS,URA 1454,F-69600 OULLINS,FRANCE. HOP LANTIQUAILLE,ANAT PATHOL LAB,F-69321 LYON,FRANCE. UNIV REGGIO CALABRIA,FAC MED & CHIRURG CATANZARO,DIPARTIMENTO MED SPERIMENTALE & CLIN,I-88100 CATANZARO,ITALY.
The RET proto-oncogene is expressed in normal human thyroid C cells, confirming its role in cell regulation and growth. This finding is significant for understanding medullary thyroid carcinomas and pheochromocytomas.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- The RET proto-oncogene is implicated in medullary thyroid carcinomas and pheochromocytomas.
- Mutations in RET are associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN 2A).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of the RET proto-oncogene in normal human thyroid parafollicular C cells.
- To confirm the involvement of RET in the regulation and growth of these specific thyroid cells.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of human thyroid tissue.
- Detection of RET proto-oncogene expression.
Main Results:
- The RET proto-oncogene is expressed in normal human thyroid parafollicular C cells.
- This expression confirms the gene's presence in cells relevant to thyroid cancer development.
Conclusions:
- The RET proto-oncogene plays a confirmed role in the regulation and growth of normal human thyroid C cells.
- These findings support the significance of RET in thyroid endocrinology and oncology.
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