Why do some thyroid diseases make you hyper and others make you hypo?
Differential expression of connexin 43 in human autoimmune thyroid disease.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
This study looked at a protein called connexin 43 that helps thyroid cells talk to each other. It found that in the overactive thyroid disease (Graves'), this protein is more common, but in the underactive one (Hashimoto's), it's less common.
Surprising Findings
Cx43 expression increased in Graves’ disease instead of decreasing, contrary to prior animal studies that showed reduced communication in autoimmune thyroid disease.
Previous mouse models suggested autoimmune thyroid disease always reduces cell communication—this human study flipped that assumption, showing the opposite pattern in Graves’.
Practical Takeaways
If you have autoimmune thyroid disease, ask your doctor if thyroid cell communication markers (like Cx43) are being researched in your treatment plan.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
This study looked at a protein called connexin 43 that helps thyroid cells talk to each other. It found that in the overactive thyroid disease (Graves'), this protein is more common, but in the underactive one (Hashimoto's), it's less common.
Surprising Findings
Cx43 expression increased in Graves’ disease instead of decreasing, contrary to prior animal studies that showed reduced communication in autoimmune thyroid disease.
Previous mouse models suggested autoimmune thyroid disease always reduces cell communication—this human study flipped that assumption, showing the opposite pattern in Graves’.
Practical Takeaways
If you have autoimmune thyroid disease, ask your doctor if thyroid cell communication markers (like Cx43) are being researched in your treatment plan.
Publication
Journal
Acta histochemica
Year
2010
Authors
Xiao-yan Jiang, Xiao-hong Feng, Guo-Yan Li, Qian Zhao, Hui-qing Yin
Related Content
Claims (6)
In some people with autoimmune thyroiditis, the immune system's attack on the thyroid gland can lead to either an overactive or underactive thyroid, depending on how much damage has occurred and at what stage.
In people with Graves' disease, a protein called Connexin 43 is found at higher levels in the thyroid, while in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, it is found at lower levels, compared to healthy thyroid tissue. This difference in protein levels is linked to whether the thyroid is overactive or underactive.
In autoimmune thyroid disease, changes in the levels of a protein called connexin 43 are linked to differences in how well the thyroid gland produces and releases hormones.
In two common autoimmune thyroid diseases, Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the levels of a protein called connexin 43 differ in opposite directions, suggesting that how thyroid cells communicate with each other may be fundamentally different in these conditions.
In human thyroid tissue, scientists can detect Connexin 43 at both the protein and genetic message levels, indicating that this protein is present and likely involved in how thyroid cells communicate with each other, as previously observed in animal studies.