In particular, dysfunction of the Fas apoptotic pathway or production of soluble factors including soluble Fas and soluble Fas ligand may be involved in the pathogenesis of these disorders. On the other hand, thyroid malignant cells may avoid Fas-mediated suicide possibly by expression of inhibitors of apoptosis and evade the immune system by inducing apoptosis on infiltrating lymphocytes. The delicate balance between cell proliferation and cell death through the Fas pathway may also play an important role in the control of thyroid cell mass and goitrogenesis. This review analyses the current evidence on the role of Fas-mediated apoptosis in the pathogenesis of thyroid diseases including Hashimoto s thyroiditis, Graves disease, thyroid cancer and goiter. However the exact mechanisms involved in the regulation of apoptosis in thyroid disease remain unclear.
Further investigation is needed.
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