Regeneration of Thyroid Glands in the Spleen Restores Homeostasis in Thyroidectomy Mice

  • Adv Sci (Weinh). 2023 Dec 7:e2305913. doi: 10.1002/advs.202305913.
Xue-Jiao Tian  1 ,  Zhi-Jie Yin  1 ,  Zhen-Jiang Li  1 ,  Zhen-Zhen Wang  1 ,  Zhen Xing  1  2 ,  Chun-Yan Liu  1 ,  Lin-Tao Wang  1 ,  Chun-Ming Wang  3 ,  Jun-Feng Zhang  1 ,  Lei Dong  1  2  4  5
Affiliations
  • 1. State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China.
  • 2. NJU Xishan Institute of Applied Biotechnology, Xishan District, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214101, China.
  • 3. State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, 999078, China.
  • 4. National Resource Center for Mutant Mice, Nanjing, 210023, China.
  • 5. Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovative Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China.
PMID: 38059822 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202305913
Abstract

Surgical removal of the thyroid gland (TG) for treating thyroid disorders leaves the patients on lifelong hormone replacement that partially compensates the physiological needs, but regenerating TG is challenging. Here, an approach is reported to regenerate TG within the spleen for fully restoring the thyroid's functions in mice, by transplanting thyroid tissue blocks to the spleen. Within 48 h, the transplanted tissue efficiently revascularizes, forming thyroid follicles similar to the native gland after 4 weeks. Structurally, the ectopically generated thyroid integrates with the surrounding splenic tissue while maintaining its integrity, separate from the lymphatic tissue. Functionally, it fully restores the native functions of the TG in hormone regulation in response to physiological stimuli, outperforming the established method of oral levothyroxine therapy in maintaining systemic homeostasis. The study demonstrates the full restoration of thyroid functions post-thyroidectomy by intrasplenic TG regeneration, providing fresh insights for designing novel therapies for thyroid-related disorders.

Keywords
homeostasis restoration; spleen; thyroid regeneration.
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