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From parathyroid to thymus, via glial cells

Deletion of the ‘glial cells missing-2’ gene in mice disrupts development of the parathyroid glands but does not eliminate production of parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is required for calcium metabolism. Surprisingly, the thymus has been identified as a secondary source of PTH production.

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Figure 1: Endocrine control of calcium homeostasis.

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Balling, R., Erben, R. From parathyroid to thymus, via glial cells. Nat Med 6, 860–861 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/78607

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