A heartfelt response: new thyroid hormone–sensitive neurons in the hypothalamus
Douglas Forrest, Jürgen Wess
Douglas Forrest, Jürgen Wess
Published December 21, 2012
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2013;123(1):117-120. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI67448.
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Commentary

A heartfelt response: new thyroid hormone–sensitive neurons in the hypothalamus

Abstract

Thyroid hormone is a well-known regulator of metabolic and cardiovascular functions, and signaling through thyroid receptors has differential effects on cells depending on the receptor isoform that they express. In this issue of the JCI, Mittag et al. provide evidence that thyroid hormone receptors are essential for the formation of a population of parvalbuminergic neurons in the anterior hypothalamus, linking, for the first time, impaired thyroid hormone signaling during development to cellular deficits in the hypothalamus. Since this newly discovered cell group is predicted to play a role in regulating cardiovascular function, these findings suggest that developmental hypothyroidism may be the cause of cardiovascular disorders later in life.

Authors

Douglas Forrest, Jürgen Wess

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Figure 1

The pv+ neurons in the AHA are proposed to act as central integrators (indicated by the dial in the brain) that determine the set point for cardiovascular function.

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The pv+ neurons in the AHA are proposed to act as central integrators (i...
These neurons depend on thyroid hormone signaling for proper development and integrate temperature information to regulate cardiovascular parameters via modulating central autonomic outflow. Moreover, the activity of pv+ neurons is regulated by TRH. The downstream relay stations that transmit signals from the AHA pv+ neurons to the heart remain unknown at present.