Endocrine System

The Endocrine System category provides cells for studying hormone production, metabolism, glucose homeostasis, thyroid function, adrenal stress response, and endocrine disorders such as diabetes, thyroiditis, Cushing’s syndrome, and polycystic ovary syndrome.

Our featured product is pancreatic islets (also islets of langerhans), which contain pancreatic beta islet cells (β-cells) that secrete insulin in response to glucose. Beta islet cells of pancreas are the primary target in type 1 diabetes, where autoimmune destruction leads to insulin deficiency. Researchers often isolate pancreatic islets for glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) assays, using perifusion systems or static incubations.

Thyroid cells (follicular cells produce T3/T4) are used for studies on thyroiditis, goiter, and thyroid cancer; they express thyroglobulin and sodium-iodide symporter. Adrenal cells: the cortex produces cortisol, aldosterone, and androgens; the medulla produces epinephrine and norepinephrine. These cells are used for stress research, Cushing’s syndrome, and pheochromocytoma models. Thyroid epithelial cells (thyrocytes) are used for autoimmune thyroiditis models, including studies on TSH receptor antibodies and thyroid peroxidase. Parathyroid cells produce parathyroid hormone (PTH) and regulate calcium homeostasis; they are used for studies on hyperparathyroidism and hypoparathyroidism. Thyroid cells are cultured in medium containing TSH to maintain thyroglobulin production and iodide uptake.

Pituitary cells (anterior and posterior) produce growth hormone (GH), ACTH, TSH, FSH, LH, prolactin, and vasopressin. Pancreatic islet cells include α-cells (glucagon), β-cells (insulin), δ-cells (somatostatin), and PP cells (pancreatic polypeptide). Growth hormone research often uses pituitary cells for cell signaling studies (JAK/STAT pathway).

Ovarian granulosa cells produce estrogen and progesterone; they are used for folliculogenesis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and in vitro fertilization research. Ovarian granulosa cells are used for folliculogenesis studies, including FSH receptor signaling and steroidogenesis.

Our Endocrine System category supports your endocrinology research from molecular mechanisms to whole-organ physiology.