Thyroid cell stress that leads to thyroid cell death
Endoplasmic Reticulum stress and thyroid cell death
This work looks at how common changes in the TG gene cause protein stress inside thyroid cells, triggering cell death that can lead to low thyroid hormone and congenital hypothyroidism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11311833 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you or a family member carries a TG gene change, this project looks at how those changes make thyroglobulin misfold inside the thyroid cell's endoplasmic reticulum and cause cell stress. Researchers will use lab-grown cells and animal models and compare findings to known human TG mutations to watch protein folding, cell death, and thyroid hormone (T4) production. They will specifically test whether people who carry a single TG mutation (heterozygotes) also experience thyroid cell death that could affect thyroid function. Most work is laboratory-based and may include analysis of genetic information or tissue samples rather than testing a clinical treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with congenital hypothyroidism due to TG mutations, or known carriers of TG gene variants, would be the most directly relevant candidates for related participation or sample donation.
Not a fit: People whose thyroid disease is caused by autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto's or by unrelated genetic or environmental causes may not gain direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could explain why many people with TG variants develop thyroid problems and point to new ways to prevent cell loss or improve genetic counseling.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has shown that misfolded thyroglobulin causes ER stress and thyrocyte death in models and some human mutations, but extending this mechanism to common single-carrier TG variants is a newer direction.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Arvan, Peter — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Arvan, Peter
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.