Environmental Influences on Thyroid Function with an Emphasis on Molecular Mechanisms

Extensive research has elucidated critical molecular mechanisms governing normal thyroid function, dysfunction, and associated pathologies. Environmental influences such as exposure to endocrine disruptors, pollutants, and dietary factors are increasingly recognized as key determinants in the modulation of thyroid hormone synthesis, release, and action. Recent research highlights the detrimental impact of environmental agents on thyroid signaling pathways, genetics, and epigenetics, contributing to common disorders including hypo- and hyperthyroidism, as well as thyroid cancers. Although high-throughput genomic and molecular technologies have unraveled many aspects of how environmental factors interact with thyroid function, there is ongoing debate regarding the precise mechanisms and long-term consequences of these interactions. Notably, gaps persist in our understanding of how early and chronic exposures, dose-response relationships, and combinatorial environmental factors drive thyroid dysfunction at the cellular and systemic levels.

This Research Topic aims to delineate the molecular underpinnings by which environmental factors modulate thyroid function and disease. The objective is to provide a comprehensive overview of evidence linking specific environmental exposures to disruptions in thyroid hormone biosynthesis, signaling, and feedback regulation. The topic will collect studies that clarify these processes and identify mechanistic biomarkers for early detection, risk assessment, and intervention.

We welcome original research articles, reviews, and translational studies addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
o Molecular mechanisms of endocrine disruptors in thyroid dysfunction
o Epigenetic and genetic modulation by environmental exposures affecting thyroid health
o Mechanistic studies on nutrient and dietary influences on thyroid hormone metabolism
o Early-life and chronic exposure models of environmental impact on thyroid function