Phenotypic characterization of multi-functional somatotropes, mammotropes and gonadotropes of the mouse anterior pituitary

Pflügers Archiv : European journal of physiology
Carlos VillalobosJavier García-Sancho

Abstract

The existence of bihormonal anterior pituitary (AP) cells co-storing growth hormone and either prolactin (mammosomatotrope) or gonadotropins (somatogonadotrope) has been described. These cells have been proposed to be involved in "paradoxical" secretion [secretion of an AP hormone induced by a non-related hypothalamic releasing factor (HRH) and transdifferentiation (a phenotypic switch between different cell types without cell division]. Here we combine calcium imaging (to assess HRH responsiveness) and multiple sequential immunoassay of the six AP hormones to perform a single-cell phenotypic study of multifunctional somatotropes, mammotropes and gonadotropes in the normal male and female mouse pituitaries. AP cell phenotypes differed from the classic view, showing multiple HRH-receptor expression and/or hormone storage. Mammosomatotropes represented only 5-6% of somatotropes and were poorly responsive to HRHs, suggesting that their contribution to paradoxical secretion should be very limited. Somatogonadotropes were present only in females and contained adrenocorticotropic hormone. They responded to growth hormone-releasing hormone but failed to respond to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (LHRH). Other polyhormonal cells identif...Continue Reading

Citations

Apr 8, 2006·Growth Hormone & IGF Research : Official Journal of the Growth Hormone Research Society and the International IGF Research Society·Lacey LutzDonal C Skinner
Jun 16, 2016·Stem Cell Reports·Bastian ZimmerLorenz Studer

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