L'hypothyroïdie congénitale par dysgénésie thyroïdienne (HCDT, ectopie dans plus de 80 %) a une prévalence de 1 cas sur 4000 naissances vivantes. L’HCDT est la conséquence d'une défaillance de la thyroïde embryonnaire à se différencier, à se maintenir ou à migrer vers sa localisation anatomique (partie antérieure du cou), qui aboutit à une absence totale de la thyroïde (athyréose) ou à une ectopie thyroïdienne (linguale ou sublinguale). Les HCDT sont principalement non-syndromiques (soit 98% des cas sont non-familiale), ont un taux de discordance de 92% chez les jumeaux monozygotes, et ont une prédominance féminine et ethnique (i.e., Caucasienne). La majorité des cas d’HCDT n’a pas de cause connue, mais est associée à un déficit sévère en hormones thyroïdiennes (hypothyroïdie). Des mutations germinales dans les facteurs de transcription liés à la thyroïde (NKX2.1, FOXE1, PAX8, NKX2.5) ont été identifiées dans seulement 3% des patients atteints d’HCDT sporadiques et l’analyse de liaisons exclue ces gènes dans les rares familles multiplex avec HCDT. Nous supposons que le manque de transmission familiale claire d’HCDT peut résulter de la nécessité d’au moins deux « hits » génétiques différents dans des gènes importants pour le développement thyroïdien. Pour répondre au mieux nos questions de recherche, nous avons utilisé deux approches différentes: 1) une approche gène candidat, FOXE1, seul gène impliqué dans l’ectopie dans le modèle murin et 2) une approche en utilisant les techniques de séquençage de nouvelle génération (NGS) afin de trouver des variants génétiques pouvant expliquer cette pathologie au sein d’une cohorte de patients avec HCDT. Pour la première approche, une étude cas-contrôles a été réalisée sur le promoteur de FOXE1. Il a récemment été découvert qu’une région du promoteur de FOXE1 est différentiellement méthylée au niveau de deux dinucléotides CpG consécutifs, définissant une zone cruciale de contrôle de l’expression de FOXE1. L’analyse d’association basée sur les haplotypes a révélé qu’un haplotype (Hap1: ACCCCCCdel1C) est associé avec le HCDT chez les Caucasiens (p = 5x10-03). Une réduction significative de l’activité luciférase est observée pour Hap1 (réduction de 68%, p<0.001) comparé au promoteur WT de FOXE1. Une réduction de 50% de l’expression de FOXE1 dans une lignée de cellules thyroïdienne humaine est suffisante pour réduire significativement la migration cellulaire (réduction de 55%, p<0.05). Un autre haplotype (Hap2: ACCCCCCC) est observé moins fréquemment chez les Afro-Américain comparés aux Caucasiens (p = 1.7x10-03) et Hap2 diminue l’activité luciférase (réduction de 26%, p<0.001). Deux haplotypes distincts sont trouvés fréquemment dans les contrôles Africains (Black-African descents). Le premier haplotype (Hap3: GTCCCAAC) est fréquent (30.2%) chez les contrôles Afro-Américains comparés aux contrôles Caucasiens (6.3%; p = 2.59 x 10-9) tandis que le second haplotype (Hap4: GTCCGCAC) est trouvé exclusivement chez les contrôles Afro-Américains (9.4%) et est absent chez les contrôles Caucasiens (P = 2.59 x 10-6). Pour la deuxième approche, le séquençage de l’exome de l’ADN leucocytaire entre les jumeaux MZ discordants n’a révélé aucune différence. D'où l'intérêt du projet de séquençage de l’ADN et l’ARN de thyroïdes ectopiques et orthotopiques dans lesquelles de l'expression monoallélique aléatoire dans a été observée, ce qui pourrait expliquer comment une mutation monoallélique peut avoir des conséquences pathogéniques. Finalement, le séquençage de l’exome d’une cohorte de 36 cas atteints d’HCDT a permis d’identifier de nouveaux variants probablement pathogéniques dans les gènes récurrents RYR3, SSPO, IKBKE et TNXB. Ces quatre gènes sont impliqués dans l’adhésion focale (jouant un rôle dans la migration cellulaire), suggérant un rôle direct dans les défauts de migration de la thyroïde. Les essais de migration montrent une forte diminution (au moins 60% à 5h) de la migration des cellules thyroïdiennes infectées par shRNA comparés au shCtrl dans 2 de ces gènes. Des zebrafish KO (-/- et +/-) pour ces nouveaux gènes seront réalisés afin d’évaluer leur impact sur l’embryologie de la thyroïde. / Congenital hypothyroidism by thyroid dysgenesis (CHTD) is a common disorder with prevalence at birth of 1 in 4000 live births. CHTD is the consequence of a failure of embryonic thyroid to differentiate or to migrate to its anatomical location (front of the neck), which leads to a total lack of thyroid (athyreosis) or an ectopic thyroid (lingual or sublingual). The most common category is ectopic thyroid diagnosis (up 85%). Most cases of CHTD have no known cause, but are associated with severe deficiency of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism). The clinical diagnosis of hypothyroidism is usually possible only when permanent brain damage is already present. On the other hand, biochemical screening on the second day of life allows initiating replacement therapy from the second week of life, pre-empting severe intellectual deficit associated with the congenital hypothyroidism. Even with early treatment (an average of 9 days), loss of IQ, which is not exclusively due to the severity of hypothyroidism, can still be observed. Molecular markers may identify patients at risk for intellectual deficit (by e.g., genes involved in neuronal migration and the thyroid during development). These patients might benefit from early intervention to stimulate their neurocognitive development. Cases of CHTD are mainly non-syndromic and sporadic (in 98% of cases, there is no other affected in the family), have a discordant rate of 92% in monozygotic twins, and a female and ethnic (Caucasian) dominance. Germline mutations in thyroid-related transcription factors have been identified in only 3% of patients with sporadic CHTD, and linkage analysis has excluded these genes in rare multiplex families with CHTD. In addition, non-penetrating mutations among close relatives (for Nkx2.5 gene) suggest that modifying genes as germline variants de novo copy number (CNV) and / or somatic mutations are associated with CHTD. To respond to this research questions, we used two different approaches: 1) a candidate gene approach studying FOXE1, the only gene involved in ectopic thyroid in the mouse model and, 2) an approach using next generation sequencing techniques (NGS) to find genetic variants that could explain this pathology using a cohort of mostly sporadic CHTD. Variants and genes discovered by these two different approaches have been validated and their functional impact on the thyroid gland was evaluated by several experiments.

INTRODUÇÃO: O Hipotireoidismo congênito (HC) é uma das endocrinopatias mais frequentes em pediatria e pode causar retardo mental e do crescimento, se não for tratado precocemente. A determinação do nível do hormônio estimulador da tireoide em sangue total após o nascimento (TSHneo) constitui uma estratégia efetiva para o rastreamento de HC, embora não exista consenso em relação aos níveis considerados seguros para essa detecção. Muitos serviços utilizam os valores de corte do TSH neonatal de 10,0 e 15,0 ?UI/mL, por ensaios imunofluorimétricos. OBJETIVO: Analisar a capacidade de detecção dos casos de hipotireoidismo congênito por diferentes níveis de corte do TSH neonatal e os efeitos destes sobre o sistema de triagem neonatal para essa doença, em nascidos vivos avaliados pelo Programa de Triagem Neonatal (PTN) da rede pública do Estado de Mato Grosso (MT), de 01 de janeiro de 2010 a 31 de dezembro de 2012. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte, de corte transversal, com coleta retrospectiva de dados obtidos a partir do banco de dados do Serviço de Referência em Triagem Neonatal do Estado de Mato Grosso, de nascidos vivos no período 01/01/2010 a 31/12/2012 e avaliados pelo PTN-MT. Estes foram divididos em dois grupos: I. Controle: Crianças com exame de triagem neonatal normal; II. Estudo: Crianças com HC. Análise estatística incluiu o uso do teste qui-quadrado ou exato de Fischer para análise das características dos recém-nascidos entre os grupos e o teste t de Student ou não paramétrico de Mann-Whitney para análise dos níveis de TSH em sangue total de ambos os grupos e, avaliação das concentrações de TSH e T4 livre no soro, em crianças com HC. Construiu-se uma curva ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic), para a avaliação dos pontos de corte do TSHneo. O nível de significância foi p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Entre as 111.705 crianças triadas pelo Programa, 50 tiveram o diagnóstico de HC, sob o ponto de corte do TSHneo de 5,0 ?UI/mL. A prevalência da doença foi de 1:2.234 nascidos vivos. A cobertura do Programa estadual foi de 73,9%. Para o Grupo II, os níveis do TSHneo foram superiores a 20,0 ?UI/mL em 61,4% das crianças e, os níveis de TSH no soro excederam este valor em 83,7%. A curva ROC identificou o ponto de corte do TSHneo de 5,03 ?UI/mL, como o correspondente à sensibilidade de 100% e a maior especificidade associada (93,7%). A área observada sob a curva foi de 0,9898 (p<0,0001). CONCLUSÕES: Observou-se uma cobertura inadequada do PTN-MT. O ponto de corte do TSH neonatal de 5,0 ?UI/mL, adotado pelo PTN-MT, foi confirmado pela curva ROC como o mais seguro para detectar HC e determinou a elevada prevalência da doença no Estado de Mato Grosso / INTRODUCTION: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a very common pediatric endocrine disorder and can cause mental and growth retardation without early treatment. Measuring the total blood thyroid-stimulating hormone level after birth (TSHneo) is an effective screening strategy for CH, although there is not yet a consensus on the appropriate diagnostic levels. Many services use the neonatal TSH cut-off points of 10.0 and 15.0 uIU/mL per imunofluorimetric assay. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to analyze the ability of various TSHneo cutoff values to detect CH and their effects on the Newborn Screening Program (NSP) of the State of Mato Grosso (MT) from January 1, 2010, to december 31, 2012. METHODS: Cohort study, cross-sectional, based on retrospective data collection obtained from the database of the Reference Service for Neonatal Screening of the State of Mato Grosso, for all live births from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2012, reviewed by NSP-MT. The infants were divided into two groups: I-Control: infants with normal newborn screening tests and II-Study: infants with CH. Statistical analysis included the chi-square or Fisher\'s exact test to compare the characteristics of the newborns from both groups and Student\'s t-test or the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test to analyse the total blood TSH level from both groups of infants and evaluate the serum TSH and free thyroxine (T4) concentrations in infants with CH. A Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to assess the TSHneo cutoff values. The significance level was p < 0.05. RESULTS: Using a TSHneo cutoff value 5.0 uIU/mL, 50 out of 111,705 screened infants were diagnosed with CH. The prevalence of CH was 1:2,234 live births. The state program coverage was 73.9%. For Group II, the TSHneo levels were higher than 20.0 uIU/mL in 61.4% of infants, and the serum TSH levels exceeded that level in 83.7%. The ROC curve showed that a TSHneo cutoff value of 5.03 uIU/mL had 100% sensitivity and the greatest associated specificity (93.7%). The area under the curve was 0.9898 (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: An inadequate coverage of the NSP-MT was observed. The ROC curve confirmed that the TSHneo cutoff value of 5.0 ?IU/mL adopted by the NSP-MT was the safest for detecting CH and determined the high prevalence of disease that was found in the State of Mato Grosso

Ainda não é claro o papel dos hormônios tireoideanos (HT) no desenvolvimento do esqueleto fetal. Para responder a questão, induzimos hipotireoidismo materno e fetal em camundongos prenhes através da administração de metimazol e perclorato de sódio. O esqueleto fetal apresentou discretas morfológicas até 16,5 dias de idade embrionária (E). Apenas no final da gestação, em 18,5E, foram observadas a redução significativa da zona hipertrófica, do número de condrócitos hipertróficos, desorganização e diminuição da quantidade dos condrócitos proliferativos, além da redução da expressão do colágeno I, X e osteocalcina. Os TRs, assim como LAT1, LAT2 e MCT8 foram detectados em todas as idades estudadas. A alta expressão gênica da D3, principal inativadora do hormônio tireoideano, em 14,5E e sua redução significativa durante o desenvolvimento, até atingir níveis indetectáveis no período pós-natal indicam que a D3 seja responsável por manter baixos níveis de HT no esqueletono início da gestação, garantindo um desenvolvimento ósseo normal. / Thyroid hormone (TH) plays a key role on post-natal bone development and metabolism, while its relevance during fetal bone development is uncertain. To study this, pregnant mice and fetuses were made hypothyroid. The skeleton morphology was preserved up to 16.5 embryonic days (E). Only at E18.5, the hypothyroid fetuses exhibited a reduction in femoral type I and type X collagen and osteocalcin mRNA levels, in the length and area of the proliferative and hypertrofic zones, in the number of chondrocytes per proliferative column, and in the number of hypertrophic chondrocytes. This suggests that up to E16.5, thyroid hormone signaling in bone is kept to a minimum. D3 mRNA was readily detected as early as E14.5 and its expression decreased markedly at E18.5, and even more after birth. The expression levels of D3 gene during early bone development along with the absence of a hypothyroidism-induced bone phenotype at this time suggest that its expression keeps thyroid hormone signaling in bone to very low levels at this early stage of bone development.

INTRODUÇÃO: O Hipotireoidismo congênito (HC) é uma das endocrinopatias mais frequentes em pediatria e pode causar retardo mental e do crescimento, se não for tratado precocemente. A determinação do nível do hormônio estimulador da tireoide em sangue total após o nascimento (TSHneo) constitui uma estratégia efetiva para o rastreamento de HC, embora não exista consenso em relação aos níveis considerados seguros para essa detecção. Muitos serviços utilizam os valores de corte do TSH neonatal de 10,0 e 15,0 ?UI/mL, por ensaios imunofluorimétricos. OBJETIVO: Analisar a capacidade de detecção dos casos de hipotireoidismo congênito por diferentes níveis de corte do TSH neonatal e os efeitos destes sobre o sistema de triagem neonatal para essa doença, em nascidos vivos avaliados pelo Programa de Triagem Neonatal (PTN) da rede pública do Estado de Mato Grosso (MT), de 01 de janeiro de 2010 a 31 de dezembro de 2012. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte, de corte transversal, com coleta retrospectiva de dados obtidos a partir do banco de dados do Serviço de Referência em Triagem Neonatal do Estado de Mato Grosso, de nascidos vivos no período 01/01/2010 a 31/12/2012 e avaliados pelo PTN-MT. Estes foram divididos em dois grupos: I. Controle: Crianças com exame de triagem neonatal normal; II. Estudo: Crianças com HC. Análise estatística incluiu o uso do teste qui-quadrado ou exato de Fischer para análise das características dos recém-nascidos entre os grupos e o teste t de Student ou não paramétrico de Mann-Whitney para análise dos níveis de TSH em sangue total de ambos os grupos e, avaliação das concentrações de TSH e T4 livre no soro, em crianças com HC. Construiu-se uma curva ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic), para a avaliação dos pontos de corte do TSHneo. O nível de significância foi p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Entre as 111.705 crianças triadas pelo Programa, 50 tiveram o diagnóstico de HC, sob o ponto de corte do TSHneo de 5,0 ?UI/mL. A prevalência da doença foi de 1:2.234 nascidos vivos. A cobertura do Programa estadual foi de 73,9%. Para o Grupo II, os níveis do TSHneo foram superiores a 20,0 ?UI/mL em 61,4% das crianças e, os níveis de TSH no soro excederam este valor em 83,7%. A curva ROC identificou o ponto de corte do TSHneo de 5,03 ?UI/mL, como o correspondente à sensibilidade de 100% e a maior especificidade associada (93,7%). A área observada sob a curva foi de 0,9898 (p<0,0001). CONCLUSÕES: Observou-se uma cobertura inadequada do PTN-MT. O ponto de corte do TSH neonatal de 5,0 ?UI/mL, adotado pelo PTN-MT, foi confirmado pela curva ROC como o mais seguro para detectar HC e determinou a elevada prevalência da doença no Estado de Mato Grosso / INTRODUCTION: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a very common pediatric endocrine disorder and can cause mental and growth retardation without early treatment. Measuring the total blood thyroid-stimulating hormone level after birth (TSHneo) is an effective screening strategy for CH, although there is not yet a consensus on the appropriate diagnostic levels. Many services use the neonatal TSH cut-off points of 10.0 and 15.0 uIU/mL per imunofluorimetric assay. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to analyze the ability of various TSHneo cutoff values to detect CH and their effects on the Newborn Screening Program (NSP) of the State of Mato Grosso (MT) from January 1, 2010, to december 31, 2012. METHODS: Cohort study, cross-sectional, based on retrospective data collection obtained from the database of the Reference Service for Neonatal Screening of the State of Mato Grosso, for all live births from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2012, reviewed by NSP-MT. The infants were divided into two groups: I-Control: infants with normal newborn screening tests and II-Study: infants with CH. Statistical analysis included the chi-square or Fisher\'s exact test to compare the characteristics of the newborns from both groups and Student\'s t-test or the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test to analyse the total blood TSH level from both groups of infants and evaluate the serum TSH and free thyroxine (T4) concentrations in infants with CH. A Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to assess the TSHneo cutoff values. The significance level was p < 0.05. RESULTS: Using a TSHneo cutoff value 5.0 uIU/mL, 50 out of 111,705 screened infants were diagnosed with CH. The prevalence of CH was 1:2,234 live births. The state program coverage was 73.9%. For Group II, the TSHneo levels were higher than 20.0 uIU/mL in 61.4% of infants, and the serum TSH levels exceeded that level in 83.7%. The ROC curve showed that a TSHneo cutoff value of 5.03 uIU/mL had 100% sensitivity and the greatest associated specificity (93.7%). The area under the curve was 0.9898 (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: An inadequate coverage of the NSP-MT was observed. The ROC curve confirmed that the TSHneo cutoff value of 5.0 ?IU/mL adopted by the NSP-MT was the safest for detecting CH and determined the high prevalence of disease that was found in the State of Mato Grosso

Ainda não é claro o papel dos hormônios tireoideanos (HT) no desenvolvimento do esqueleto fetal. Para responder a questão, induzimos hipotireoidismo materno e fetal em camundongos prenhes através da administração de metimazol e perclorato de sódio. O esqueleto fetal apresentou discretas morfológicas até 16,5 dias de idade embrionária (E). Apenas no final da gestação, em 18,5E, foram observadas a redução significativa da zona hipertrófica, do número de condrócitos hipertróficos, desorganização e diminuição da quantidade dos condrócitos proliferativos, além da redução da expressão do colágeno I, X e osteocalcina. Os TRs, assim como LAT1, LAT2 e MCT8 foram detectados em todas as idades estudadas. A alta expressão gênica da D3, principal inativadora do hormônio tireoideano, em 14,5E e sua redução significativa durante o desenvolvimento, até atingir níveis indetectáveis no período pós-natal indicam que a D3 seja responsável por manter baixos níveis de HT no esqueletono início da gestação, garantindo um desenvolvimento ósseo normal. / Thyroid hormone (TH) plays a key role on post-natal bone development and metabolism, while its relevance during fetal bone development is uncertain. To study this, pregnant mice and fetuses were made hypothyroid. The skeleton morphology was preserved up to 16.5 embryonic days (E). Only at E18.5, the hypothyroid fetuses exhibited a reduction in femoral type I and type X collagen and osteocalcin mRNA levels, in the length and area of the proliferative and hypertrofic zones, in the number of chondrocytes per proliferative column, and in the number of hypertrophic chondrocytes. This suggests that up to E16.5, thyroid hormone signaling in bone is kept to a minimum. D3 mRNA was readily detected as early as E14.5 and its expression decreased markedly at E18.5, and even more after birth. The expression levels of D3 gene during early bone development along with the absence of a hypothyroidism-induced bone phenotype at this time suggest that its expression keeps thyroid hormone signaling in bone to very low levels at this early stage of bone development.

L’hypothyroïdie congénitale (HC), qui se traduit par une insuffisance d’hormone thyroïdienne (HT) à la naissance, est la maladie endocrinienne congénitale la plus fréquente avec une prévalence d’un cas sur 2,500 naissances vivantes. Non-traitée, cette insuffisance peut entrainer un retard de développement sévère, surtout au niveau cognitif. L’HC est le plus souvent due à un défaut lors du développement de la thyroïde (dysgénésie thyroïdienne (DT)) ou lors de la production des hormones thyroïdiennes (dyshormonogenèse (D)). La majorité des cas d’HC par dysgénésie thyroïdienne (HCDT) ont une ectopie, soit une glande mal positionnée. Contrairement aux dyshormonogenèses, qui s’expliquent fréquemment par des mutations dans les gènes responsables de la production des HT, selon un modèle autosomique récessif, les causes de l’HCDT demeurent largement inconnues. Certains arguments sont en faveur d’une prédisposition génétique (le risque relatif chez les parents de premier degré est de 40 fois supérieur à celui de la population générale) mais l’HCDT ne suit pas un modèle Mendélien: 98 % des cas sont sporadiques et 92 % des jumeaux monozygotiques sont discordants pour l’HCDT. De ce fait, nous avons suggéré une hypothèse de double-hit pour expliquer les HCDT, hypothèse combinant une prédisposition germinale (héritée ou de novo) à un évènement somatique (génétique ou épigénétique). Par le passé, nous avons étudié l’évènement somatique, mais nous n’avions pas encore étudié la prédisposition germinale. Le séquençage d’exome complet peut permettre d’identifier la cause génétique dans des formes familiales d’HC, mais aussi déterminer si les cas avec une HCDT isolée sont enrichis en variants délétères, tel qu’observé chez des patients avec une malformation cardiaque congénitale, patients qui partagent des caractéristiques similaires avec ceux atteints d’HCDT. De plus, cette technique pourrait permettre d’identifier de nouveaux gènes de prédisposition associés à l’HCDT. D’une part, nous avons séquencé l’exome d’un trio (parent-enfant) afin d’identifier la cause de l’HC dans une famille avec plusieurs enfants sévèrement atteints d’HC. D’autre part, nous avons comparé les données d’exome d’une cohorte de cas avec une HCDT isolée (HCDT non syndromique, HCDT-NS) à celles d’une cohorte contrôle, à l’aide d’une approche biaisée (gene-based burden) et non biaisée (gènes candidats). Finalement, nous avons développé le modèle de poisson-zèbre afin de pouvoir valider, in vivo, l’implication de potentiels gènes candidats, dans le développement thyroïdien. L’analyse de l’exome du trio a révélé un variant dans le gène TSHR qui co-ségrégait parfaitement avec le phénotype, et les études de minigène ont permis de montrer que ce variant intronique loin des sites d’épissage traditionnels introduisait un pseudo-exon dans la séquence du TSHR, créant ainsi un récepteur tronqué et inactif. L’analyse par comparaison de cohorte (cas-contrôle) a montré que les cas avec une HCDT-NS n’ont pas davantage de variants rares délétères comparé aux contrôles. De plus, après correction, le gene-based burden n’a pas identifié de gène candidat. Par contre, des variants rares pathogéniques ou probablement pathogéniques dans des gènes liés à l’hypothyroïdie congénitale ont été identifiés chez 42% des cas. Les études réalisées chez le poisson-zèbre sur un gène candidat, IKBKE, identifié par une analyse préliminaire de l’exome dans la cohorte de cas, confirme que les vaisseaux sanguins sont importants pour le bon positionnement de la glande thyroïde chez le poisson-zèbre, mais ne permet pas d’établir le rôle d’IKBKE dans la migration thyroïdienne. Nous avons d’abord montré que l’exome est une bonne technique pour identifier la cause de l’HC dans une famille avec plusieurs enfants atteints. Toutefois, une connaissance approfondie de la maladie et des isoformes du gène d’intérêt s’est avérée essentielle afin de bien analyser les données d’exome. Ensuite, nos résultats suggèrent que les cas avec une HCDT-NS n’ont pas davantage de variants délétères que les contrôles et que l’exome complet n’est pas suffisant pour identifier des gènes de prédisposition. Le séquençage du génome est peut-être nécessaire pour trouver une prédisposition génétique à l’HCDT-NS. Par contre, il est aussi possible que la génétique ne joue pas un rôle majeur dans les dysgénésies thyroïdiennes. Finalement, nous avons validé que le poisson-zèbre est un bon modèle pour étudier le développement de la thyroïde. / Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a disorder with a prevalence of one in 2,500 live births. CH can lead to severe intellectual disability if left untreated. It is most commonly caused by a defect during thyroid development (thyroid dysgenesis), which results in an ectopic gland in the majority of cases. A defect in thyroid hormone production (dyshormonogenesis) is the second most common cause of CH. In contrast to dyshormonogenesis, which generally has an identified cause and follows a Mendelian mode of inheritance, the cause of CHTD remains mostly unknown. CHTD is generally sporadic (98%) and has a high discordance rate (92%) between monozygotic twins. However, first-degree relatives are affected more often than by chance alone (40x) and there is an ethnic and female predominance. We thus hypothesized that CHTD is a disorder caused by two events, one germinal (a necessary but not sufficient predisposing factor) becoming pathogenic only if a second genetic or epigenetic event occurs at the somatic level. Whole exome sequencing (WES) can allow for identification of the genetic cause of CHTD in familial forms, but may also reveal if non-syndromic CHTD (NS-CHTD) cases are enriched in rare protein-altering variant, as seen in congenital heart malformations, a developmental defect that shares several characteristics with CHTD. Moreover, it might also identify new predisposing genes. First, we performed WES on a trio (parent-child) in a family with several siblings affected with severe CH. Second, we compared WES data of a NS-CHTD cohort with data from a control cohort, using a gene-based burden (unbiased) approach and a candidate gene (biased) approach to evaluate whether WES analysis allows to identify new predisposing genes in a well-characterized cohort. Finally, we developed the zebrafish model to test the roles of candidate genes, that will be identified by WES, in thyroid development. We first identified a variant in TSHR that segregated perfectly with the phenotype in the family with CHTD and a mini gene assay showed that this deep intronic variant induced a pseudo-exon, leading to a truncated protein missing the transmembrane domain, thus an inactive TSH receptor. Next, we found that NS-CHTD cases are not enriched in rare protein-altering variants and gene-base burden analysis did not identify novel candidate genes. However, WES data revealed pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in CH-related genes in 42% of the NS-CHTD cases. Finally, zebrafish is a good model to study thyroid development and our results on IKBKE confirm the importance of vessels in thyroid positioning, but not its role in thyroid migration. First, we showed that WES analysis is a good tool to identify the causative variant in a family with several siblings affected by CH. However, the interpretation of the exome analysis required knowledge of the expression of the relevant isoforms and of the biology of the disease. Second, while a gene-based burden test, using WES data from a well-characterised NS-CHTD cohort, did not identified new predisposing genes, it identified pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in 42% of the NS-CHTD cases. Whole genome sequencing might be required to identify the genetic causes in NS-CHTD. However, our result may indicate that genetics does not play a major role in thyroid dysgenesis. Finally, we have established that zebrafish is a good model to study thyroid development and may help, in the future, identify pathways implicated in this process.

L’hypothyroïdie congénitale par dysgénésie thyroïdienne (HCDT) est la condition endocrinienne néonatale la plus fréquemment rencontrée, avec une incidence d’un cas sur 4000 naissances vivantes. L’HCDT comprend toutes les anomalies du développement de la thyroïde. Parmi ces anomalies, le diagnostic le plus fréquent est l’ectopie thyroïdienne (~ 50% des cas). L’HCDT est fréquemment associée à un déficit sévère en hormones thyroïdiennes (hypothyroïdisme) pouvant conduire à un retard mental sévère si non traitée. Le programme de dépistage néonatal assure un diagnostic et un traitement précoce par hormones thyroïdiennes. Cependant, même avec un traitement précoce (en moyenne à 9 jours de vie), un retard de développement est toujours observé, surtout dans les cas les plus sévères (c.-à-d., perte de 10 points de QI). Bien que des cas familiaux soient rapportés (2% des cas), l’HCTD est essentiellement considérée comme une entité sporadique. De plus, plus de 92% des jumeaux monozygotiques sont discordants pour les dysgénésies thyroïdiennes et une prédominance féminine est rapportée (spécialement dans le cas d’ectopies thyroïdiennes), ces deux observations étant clairement incompatible avec un mode de transmission héréditaire mendélien. Il est donc cohérent de constater que des mutations germinales dans les facteurs de transcription thyroïdiens connus (NKX2.1, PAX8, FOXE1, and NKX2.5) ont été identifiées dans seulement 3% des cas sporadiques testés et furent, de plus, exclues lors d’analyse d’association dans certaines familles multiplex. Collectivement, ces données suggèrent que des mécanismes non mendéliens sont à l’origine de la majorité des cas de dysgénésie thyroïdienne. Parmi ces mécanismes, nous devons considérer des modifications épigénétiques, des mutations somatiques précoces (au stade du bourgeon thyroïdien lors des premiers stades de l’embryogenèse) ou des défauts développementaux stochastiques (c.-à-d., accumulation aléatoire de mutations germinales ou somatiques). Voilà pourquoi nous proposons un modèle «2 hits » combinant des mutations (épi)génétiques germinales et somatiques; ce modèle étant compatible avec le manque de transmission familial observé dans la majorité des cas d’HCDT. Dans cette thèse, nous avons déterminé si des variations somatiques (épi)génétiques sont associées à l’HCTD via une approche génomique et une approche gène candidat. Notre approche génomique a révélé que les thyroïdes ectopiques ont un profil d’expression différent des thyroïdes eutopiques (contrôles) et que ce profil d’expression est enrichi en gènes de la voie de signalisation Wnt. La voie des Wnt est cruciale pour la migration cellulaire et pour le développement de plusieurs organes dérivés de l’endoderme (p.ex. le pancréas). De plus, le rôle de la voie des Wnt dans la morphogénèse thyroïdienne est supporté par de récentes études sur le poisson-zèbre qui montrent des anomalies du développement thyroïdien lors de la perturbation de la voie des Wnt durant différentes étapes de l’organogénèse. Par conséquent, l’implication de la voie des Wnt dans l’étiologie de la dysgénésie thyroïdienne est biologiquement plausible. Une trouvaille inattendue de notre approche génomique fut de constater que la calcitonine était exprimée autant dans les thyroïdes ectopiques que dans les thyroïdes eutopiques (contrôles). Cette trouvaille remet en doute un dogme de l’embryologie de la thyroïde voulant que les cellules sécrétant la calcitonine (cellules C) proviennent exclusivement d’une structure extrathyroïdienne (les corps ultimobranchiaux) fusionnant seulement avec la thyroïde en fin de développement, lorsque la thyroïde a atteint son emplacement anatomique définitif. Notre approche gène candidat ne démontra aucune différence épigénétique (c.-à-d. de profil de méthylation) entre thyroïdes ectopiques et eutopiques, mais elle révéla la présence d’une région différentiellement méthylée (RDM) entre thyroïdes et leucocytes dans le promoteur de FOXE1. Le rôle crucial de FOXE1 dans la migration thyroïdienne lors du développement est connu et démontré dans le modèle murin. Nous avons démontré in vivo et in vitro que le statut de méthylation de cette RDM est corrélé avec l’expression de FOXE1 dans les tissus non tumoraux (c.-à-d., thyroïdes et leucocytes). Fort de ces résultats et sachant que les RDMs sont de potentiels points chauds de variations (épi)génétiques, nous avons lancé une étude cas-contrôles afin de déterminer si des variants génétiques rares localisés dans cette RDM sont associés à la dysgénésie thyroïdienne. Tous ces résultats générés lors de mes études doctorales ont dévoilé de nouveaux mécanismes pouvant expliquer la pathogenèse de la dysgénésie thyroïdienne, condition dont l’étiologie reste toujours une énigme. Ces résultats ouvrent aussi plusieurs champs de recherche prometteurs et vont aider à mieux comprendre tant les causes des dysgénésies thyroïdiennes que le développement embryonnaire normal de la thyroïde chez l’homme. / Congenital hypothyroidism from thyroid dysgenesis (CHTD) is the most common congenital endocrine disorder with an incidence of 1 in 4,000 live births. CHTD includes multiple abnormalities in thyroid gland development. Among them, the most common diagnostic category is thyroid ectopy (~ 50 % of cases). CHTD is frequently associated with a severe deficiency in thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism), which can lead to severe mental retardation if left untreated. The newborn biochemical screening program insures the rapid institution of thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Even with early treatment (on average at 9 d), subtle developmental delay is still be observed in severe cases (i.e., IQ loss of 10 points). Although there have been some reports of familial occurrence (in 2% of the cases), CHTD is mainly considered as a sporadic entity. Furthermore, monozygotic (MZ) twins show a high discordance rate (92%) for thyroid dysgenesis and female predominance is observed in thyroid dysgenesis (especially thyroid ectopy), these two observations being incompatible with simple Mendelian inheritance. In addition, germline mutations in the thyroid related transcription factors NKX2.1, PAX8, FOXE1, and NKX2.5 have been identified in only 3% of sporadic cases and linkage analysis has excluded these genes in some multiplex families with CHTD. Collectively, these data point to the involvement of non-Mendelian mechanisms in the etiology of the majority of cases of thyroid dysgenesis. Among the plausible mechanisms are epigenetic modifications, somatic mutations occurring in the thyroid bud early during embryogenesis, or stochastic developmental events. Hence, we proposed a two-hit model combining germline and somatic (epi)genetic variations that can explain the lack of clear familial transmission of CTHD. In this present thesis, we assessed the role of somatic (epi)genetic variations in the pathogenesis of thyroid dysgenesis via a genome-wide as well as a candidate gene approach. Our genome wide approach revealed that ectopic thyroids show a differential gene expression compared to that of normal thyroids, with enrichment for the Wnt signalling pathway. The Wnt signalling pathway is crucial for cell migration and for the development of several endoderm-derived organs (e.g., pancreas). Moreover, a role of Wnt signalling in thyroid organogenesis was further supported by recent zebrafish studies which showed thyroid abnormalities resulting from the disruption of the Wnt pathway during different steps of organogenesis. Thus, Wnt pathway involvement in the etiology of thyroid ectopy is biologically plausible. An unexpected finding of our genome-wide gene expression analysis of ectopic thyroids was that they express calcitonin similar to normally located (orthotopic) thyroids. Such a finding, although in contradiction with our current knowledge of the embryological development of the thyroid attributes C cell origins to extrathyroidal structures (ultimobrachial bodies) upon fusion with a fully-formed, normally situated gland. Using a candidate gene approach, we were unable to demonstrate any differences in the methylation profile between ectopic and eutopic thyroids, but nevertheless we documented the presence of a differentially methylated region (DMR) between thyroids and leukocytes in the promoter of FOXE1, a gene encoding the only thyroid related transcription factor known to play a crucial role in regulating the migration of the thyroid precursors during development as shown by animal studies. We demonstrated by in vivo and in vitro studies that the methylation status of this DMR is correlated with differential expression of FOXE1 in non-tumoral tissues (thyroids and leukocytes). Knowing that DMRs are hotspots for epi(genetic) variations, its screening among CTHD patients is justifiable in our search for a molecular basis of thyroid dysgenesis, currently underway in a case-control study. The results generated during my graduate studies represent unique and novel mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of CHTD, the etiology of which is still an enigma. They also paved the way for many future studies that will aid in better understanding both the normal and pathogenic development of the thyroid gland.

Recent experimental approaches attribute value to events occurring during intrauterine life as crucial in the onset of several diseases during postnatal life. Thyroid hormones (TH) are critical to the physiology of metabolism and body development. The aim of this study was to investigate the repercussions of lack of TH during pregnancy on body mass gain, metabolic profile, ingestive behavior of food, sodium (0.3M NaCl) and water in rat offspring at different postnatal ages. The experimental gestational hypothyroidism (EGH) was induced by the administration of 0.02% methimazole (MMI) in ad libitum drinking water from day 9 of gestation until delivery. Offspring (males and females) from MMI-treated dams (OMTD) were compared to their corresponding control offspring (i.e. male and female offspring from water-treated dams; OWTD). Insulin tolerance test (ITT) and glucose tolerance test (GTT) were also performed. Two- or three-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post-test were performed when necessary. OMTD showed lower body weight on PND 23 and 30 (p<0.0001). Similar profile was observed when the offspring were separated by gender, at least during the experimental period (PND 60, 90 and 120; p<0.0001 for both genders). However, there was no difference in the amount of food intake when males of OMTD (m-OMTD) were compared to OWTD (m-OWTD). Female of OMTD (f-OMTD) had lower ability to reduce glucose plasma level at ITT (p = 0.0224), otherwise, no change in GTT (p = 0.1313) was observed. At PND 60, glucose plasma level was higher in f-OMTD than in f-OWTD (p = 0.013). In m-OMTD, plasma cholesterol was higher in PND 60 and lower on PND 120 (p <0.0001), when compared to m-OWTD. In f-OMTD, cholesterol was lower only at PND 120 (p = 0.035). The high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was lower in OMTD on PND 15 and 30 (p = 0.04) and remained lower only in f-OMTD on PND 120 (p = 0.024). Moreover, EGH induced an increased in plasma triglycerides (TGL), as well as, in serum level of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol in offspring at DPN 15 (p = 0.039) and also after puberty (at DPN 60), but only the m-OMTD (p < 0.0001). The serum urea was lower in OMTD on PND 15 and 30. Interestingly, serum urea was inverted at DPN 60 in both, m- and f-OMTD (p = 0.006, and p = 0.003, respectively), when compared to their respective control groups. At PND 120, retroperitoneal fat weight was lower both in m- (p = 0.05) and f-OMTD (p = 0.009). Additionally, at all studied ages, relative kidney and liver mass was lower in m- (p = 0.001) and f-OMTD (p = 0.008). In conclusion, we demonstrated, for the first time, that maternal TH are critical to the ontogenetic development of systems that regulate energy metabolism throughout the life of the offspring, resulting in a reduction in body mass, biochemical instability throughout the life, lower sensitivity to insulin in females, and, a delay in the development of critical organs for the metabolism of macronutrients. / Recentes abordagens experimentais têm imputado valor aos eventos ocorridos durante a vida intrauterina como cruciais no aparecimento de doenças na vida pós-natal. Os hormônios tireoidianos (HTs) são críticos para fisiologia do metabolismo e desenvolvimento corporal. O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar as repercussões da carência dos HTs em ratas prenhes na evolução ponderal da massa corporal, perfil bioquímico, comportamento ingestivo de ração, água e sódio (NaCl 0,3M) da prole em diferentes idades pós-natais. O hipotireoidismo gestacional experimental (HGE) foi induzido através da adicão de metimazol 0,02% na água de beber a partir do dia 9 de gestação até o parto. O grupo de prole (machos e fêmeas) de mães hipotireoideanas (PMH) foi comparado ao grupo controle de mães eutireoideanas (PME). Realizou-se o teste de tolerância à insulina (TTI) e o teste de tolerância à glicose (TTG). Os dados foram submetidos ao teste de ANOVA de duas ou três vias, quando necessário, seguidos do pós-teste de Bonferroni. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, observou-se que a PMH apresentou massa corporal menor aos 23 e 30 dias pós-natal (DPN) (p<0,0001). Padrão similar foi encontrado quando as proles foram separadas por gênero, aos 60, 90 e 120 DPN (p<0,0001, para ambos os gêneros). No entanto, não houve diferença significativa na ingestão de ração entre os machos PMH e PME. As fêmeas da prole de mães hipotireoideanas (f-PMH) apresentaram menor capacidade de reduzir a glicemia no TTI (p=0,0224) sem alteração no TTG. Aos 60 DPN, a concentração sérica de glicose foi maior nas f-PMH (p = 0,013) que nas f-PME. Nos machos prole de mães hipotireoideanas (m-PMH) o colesterol plasmático foi elevado aos 60 DPN e reduziu aos 120 DPN (p<0,0001), quando comparado aos machos prole de mães eutireoideanas (m-PME). Nas f-PMH o colesterol sérico foi menor somente aos 120 DPN (p=0,035). O HDL sérico foi menor na PMH aos 15 e 30 DPN (p=0,04), e continuou menor nas f-PMH aos 60, 90 e 120 DPN (p=0,024). Entretanto, o HGE elevou as concentrações séricas de TGL, bem como de VLDL, na PMH aos 15 DPN, e após a puberdade (aos 60 DPN), somente nos m-PMH (p<0,0001). A concentração sérica de ureia foi menor na PMH aos 15 e 30 DPN. Interessantemente, a ureia sérica foi invertida aos 60 DPN, se apresentando elevada tanto em m- (p=0,006) como em f-PMH (p=0,003), quando comparados aos respectivos grupos controle. Aos 120 DPN, a massa da gordura retroperitoneal foi menor tanto em m- (p=0,05) como em f-PMH (p=0,009). Adicionalmente, em todas idades estudadas, as massas relativas dos rins e do fígado foram menores tanto em m- (p=0,001) como em f- da PMH (p=0,008). Em conclusão, demonstrou-se, pela primeira vez, que os HTs maternos são críticos para o desenvolvimento ontogênico de sistemas que regulam o metabolismo de energia ao longo da vida da prole, resultando numa redução da massa corporal, instabilidade bioquímica ao longo da vida, menor sensibilidade à insulina em fêmeas, e um atraso no desenvolvimento de órgãos críticos para o metabolismo de macronutrientes.