Thyroid Ultrasound: Diffuse and Nodular Disease

In recent decades, thyroid cancer (TC) has exhibited a rising incidence pattern. Elevated levels of the transcription factor FOXP4 have been strongly linked to the progression of diverse tumors; nevertheless, its specific role in thyroid cancer remains underexplored. The primary objective of this study was to elucidate the functions of FOXP4 and its associated target gene, FBXW7, in the context of thyroid cancer.

FOXP4 and FBXW7 expression levels in TC tissues and cell lines were assessed through immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR analyses. The functional aspects of FOXP4, including its effects on cell proliferation, migration capabilities, cell cycle regulation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), were investigated. Furthermore, the interaction between FOXP4 and FBXW7 was confirmed using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. The impact of FBXW7 on FOXP4-mediated cellular phenotypes was subsequently examined. Additionally, the in vivo role of FOXP4 and FBXW7 in tumor growth was elucidated through the establishment of a murine tumor model.

Elevated levels of FOXP4 were observed in papillary carcinoma tissues, and patients exhibiting high FBXW7 levels showed a more favorable prognosis. KTC-1 cells displayed a concomitant increase in FOXP4 expression and decrease in FBXW7 expression. FOXP4 overexpression in these cells enhanced cell proliferation, migration capabilities, and EMT. The interaction between the FOXP4 protein and the FBXW7 promoter was confirmed, and the effects of FOXP4 were mitigated upon overexpression of FBXW7. Furthermore, knockdown of FOXP4 led to decelerated growth of transplanted tumors and increased FBXW7 levels within the tumors.

The findings of the current study underscore the regulatory role of FOXP4 in the transcription of FBXW7 and establish a clear link between aberrations in FBXW7 expression and the manifestation of malignant phenotypes in highly aggressive TC cells.

This study aimed to investigate the thyroid disrupting effects of multiple metals exposure with comprehensive investigation from the thyroid parenchyma to hormonal function. In this prospective cohort study of in-service staff of the Baoding Power Supply, we found that arsenic was negatively associated with total thyroxine (TT4) [β_As = −0.075, 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.129, −0.020, P_adj = 0.04]. Similarly, selenium was negatively correlated with TT4 (β_Se = −0.134, 95% CI: −0.211, −0.058, P_adj < 0.01) and peripheral deiodinase activity (GT) (β_Se = −0.133, 95% CI: −0.210, −0.056, P_adj = 0.01). With respect to strontium, there were positive associations of strontium with thyroid-stimulating hormone (β_Sr = 0.263, 95% CI: 0.112, 0.414, P_adj = 0.01), and negative associations of strontium with TT4 (β_Sr = −0.099, 95% CI: −0.150, −0.048, P_adj < 0.01) and GT (β_Sr = −0.102, 95% CI: −0.153, −0.050, P_adj < 0.01). We also observed negative associations of metal mixtures with TT4 and GT and potential interactions. Increased risks of thyroid nodule associated with aluminum, cobalt and nickel were also observed. Our findings suggest that multiple metals exposure leads to a multi-pronged assault to thyroid from the thyroid parenchyma to hormonal function. Future large-scale prospective cohort studies of general population and experimental studies were warranted.