Comănescu Maria-Paula, Boișteanu Otilia, Hînganu Delia, Hînganu Marius Valeriu, Grigorovici Roxana, Grigorovici Alexandru
Department of Surgery I, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T.Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iași, Romania.
Discipline of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Grigore T.Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Street No. 16, 700115 Iași, Romania.
Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Jun 23;26(13):6000. doi: 10.3390/ijms26136000.
The parathyroid and thymus glands are key components of the endocrine and immune systems, respectively, with intriguing developmental, anatomical, and functional interrelationships. This study starts from the hypothesis that, given their shared embryological origin, it is plausible that the thymus and parathyroid glands interact functionally and may share pathological pathways. The present study explores the developmental pathways, spatial proximity, and potential cross-talk between these glands. Recent studies suggest that parathyroid hormone (PTH) may influence thymic function, including T-cell maturation and immune regulation, while thymic signaling molecules could impact calcium homeostasis and parathyroid activity. Understanding the functional and etiopathogenical relations between these endocrine glands offers new insights into endocrine-immunological crosstalk, and therapeutic approaches targeting disorders such as hypoparathyroidism, thymomas, myasthenia gravis and thymic hypoplasia. Perspectives and conclusion: Future research is essential to discover the molecular mechanisms underpinning this dynamic interrelation and its broader implications for health and disease. Because there is still very little data on this interaction, in-depth studies are necessary on large groups of patients. This research proposes a cross-study of the receptors for the main substances secreted by the two categories of endocrine glands. At the same time, it is essential to carry out an in-depth study on the cervico-pericardial ligaments through the lens of this glandular interaction. These ligaments could contain the main blood and nerve communication pathway between the parathyroids and the glands.
甲状旁腺和胸腺分别是内分泌系统和免疫系统的关键组成部分，它们在发育、解剖结构和功能上存在着有趣的相互关系。本研究始于这样一个假设：鉴于它们共同的胚胎起源，胸腺和甲状旁腺在功能上相互作用并可能共享病理途径是合理的。本研究探讨了这些腺体之间的发育途径、空间邻近性以及潜在的相互作用。最近的研究表明，甲状旁腺激素（PTH）可能影响胸腺功能，包括T细胞成熟和免疫调节，而胸腺信号分子可能影响钙稳态和甲状旁腺活性。了解这些内分泌腺之间的功能和病因关系为内分泌-免疫相互作用以及针对甲状旁腺功能减退、胸腺瘤、重症肌无力和胸腺发育不全等疾病的治疗方法提供了新的见解。观点与结论：未来的研究对于发现支撑这种动态相互关系的分子机制及其对健康和疾病的更广泛影响至关重要。由于关于这种相互作用的数据仍然非常少，因此有必要对大量患者进行深入研究。本研究建议对这两类内分泌腺分泌的主要物质的受体进行交叉研究。同时，有必要通过这种腺体相互作用的视角对颈心包韧带进行深入研究。这些韧带可能包含甲状旁腺与腺体之间的主要血液和神经通讯途径。
