Stem Cells Derived from Goiters in Adults Form Spheres in Response to Intense Growth Stimulation and Require Thyrotropin for Differentiation into Thyrocytes

Abstract

Quiescent stem cells derived from goiters can be propagated to form spheres that consist of highly proliferating stem cells that are able to differentiate TSH dependently into thyroid cells. Compared with thyrocytes, stem cells display a much higher proliferation rate on acute growth stimulation, which may suggest a putative role of the offspring of stem cells in the chronic growth factor-stimulated nodular transformation of the thyroid.