Disruption by stealth - Interference of endocrine disrupting chemicals on hormonal crosstalk with thyroid axis function in humans and other animals
Date
2022
Authors
Thambirajah, Anita Annajothi
Wade, Michael G.
Verreault, Jonathan
Buisine, Nicolas
Alves, Verônica A.
Langlois, Valerie S.
Helbing, Caren C.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Environmental Research
Abstract
Thyroid hormones (THs) are important regulators of growth, development, and homeostasis of all vertebrates.
There are many environmental contaminants that are known to disrupt TH action, yet their mechanisms are only partially understood. While the effects of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) are mostly studied as “hormone
system silos”, the present critical review highlights the complexity of EDCs interfering with TH function through their interactions with other hormonal axes involved in reproduction, stress, and energy metabolism. The impact
of EDCs on components that are shared between hormone signaling pathways or intersect between pathways can thus extend beyond the molecular ramifications to cellular, physiological, behavioral, and whole-body consequences for exposed organisms. The comparatively more extensive studies conducted in mammalian models provides encouraging support for expanded investigation and highlight the paucity of data generated in other non-mammalian vertebrate classes. As greater genomics-based resources become available across vertebrate classes, better identification and delineation of EDC effects, modes of action, and identification of effective biomarkers suitable for HPT disruption is possible. EDC-derived effects are likely to cascade into a plurality of physiological effects far more complex than the few variables tested within any research studies. The field should move towards understanding a system of hormonal systems’ interactions rather than maintaining hormone system silos.
Description
Keywords
Endocrine disruptor, Thyroid hormone, Crosstalk, Reproductive hormones, Stress
Citation
Thambirajah, A. A., Wade, M. G., Verreault, J., Buisine, N., Alves, V. A., Langlois, V. S., & Helbing, C. C. (2022). “Disruption by stealth – Interference of endocrine disrupting chemicals on hormonal crosstalk with thyroid axis function in humans and other animals.” Environmental Research, 203, 111906. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.111906