Culture Models for Studying Thyroid Biology and Disorders

Figure 3

Fine structures of thyroid follicles reconstructed in 3-D collagen gel culture. The thyrocytes have numerous microvilli (V) at the apical surface of the follicle lumen (F) and form basal lamina (small arrowheads in inset) at the basal side which makes contact with collagen gel (∗). The cells have lysosomes (L), colloid droplets (D), and mitochondria (M). Junctional complexes (large arrowheads) are organized at the contact points of the cells.