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1.
Food Chem Toxicol ; 158: 112649, 2021 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34728246

ABSTRACT

Phthalates are synthetic chemicals widely used to make polyvinylchloride (PVC) soft and flexible. Of these, Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is the most commonly used, with high human exposure occurring as early as the fetal developmental stage and affecting the endocrine system. We focused on the perinatal DEHP effects on pituitary estrogen receptor (ER) expression in male rats, explored their impact on lactotroph and somatotroph cell growth, and evaluated the direct effects of this phthalate on pituitary cell cultures. Our results showed that DEHP perinatal exposure was unable to modify the ERα+ pituitary cell number from prepuberal rats, but increased ERß+ cells. In adulthood, the pituitary ERα+ cells underwent a slight decrease with ERß showing the greatest changes, and with a significant increase observed in somatotroph cells. Also, in vitro, DEHP reduced the ERα+ cells, increased the percentage of ERß+ pituitary cells and modified the Ki67 index, as well as decreasing the lactotrophs and increasing the somatotroph cells. In conclusion, the present study showed that DEHP induced ER expression changes in normal pituitary glands from male rats in in vivo and in vitro conditions, suggesting that DEHP could differentially modulate lactotroph and somatotroph cell growth, possibly as a consequence of ER imbalance.


Subject(s)
Diethylhexyl Phthalate/toxicity , Endocrine Disruptors/toxicity , Pituitary Gland , Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects , Receptors, Estrogen/metabolism , Animals , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Female , Lactotrophs/drug effects , Lactotrophs/metabolism , Male , Pituitary Gland/cytology , Pituitary Gland/drug effects , Pregnancy , Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/chemically induced , Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/metabolism , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Somatotrophs/drug effects , Somatotrophs/metabolism
2.
J Cell Physiol ; 236(10): 6974-6987, 2021 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33682941

ABSTRACT

Octreotide (OCT) is used to inhibit hormone secretion and growth in somatotroph tumors, although a significant percentage of patients are resistant. It has also been tested in nonfunctioning (NF) tumors but with poor results, with these outcomes having been associated with SSTR2 levels and impaired signaling. We investigated whether OCT inhibitory effects can be improved by TGF-ß1 in functioning and nonfunctioning somatotroph tumor cells. OCT effects on hormone secretion and proliferation were analyzed in the presence of TGF-ß1 in WT and SSTR2-overexpressing secreting GH3 and silent somatotroph tumor cells. The mechanism underlying these effects was assessed by studying SSTR and TGFßR signaling pathways mediators. In addition, we analyzed the effects of OCT/TGF-ß1 treatment on tumor growth and cell proliferation in vivo. The inhibitory effects of OCT on GH- and PRL-secretion and proliferation were improved in the presence of TGF-ß1, as well as by SSTR2 overexpression. The OCT/TGF-ß1 treatment induced downregulation of pERK1/2 and pAkt, upregulation of pSmad3, and inhibition of cyclin D1. In vivo experiments showed that OCT in the presence of TGF-ß1 blocked tumor volume growth, decreased cell proliferation, and increased tumor necrosis. These results indicate that SSTR2 levels and the stimulation of TGF-ß1/TGFßR/Smad2/3 pathway are important for strengthening the antiproliferative and antisecretory effects of OCT.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal/pharmacology , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Octreotide/pharmacology , Pituitary Neoplasms/drug therapy , Smad2 Protein/metabolism , Smad3 Protein/metabolism , Somatotrophs/drug effects , Transforming Growth Factor beta1/pharmacology , Animals , Cell Line , Female , Humans , Mice, Nude , Phosphorylation , Pituitary Neoplasms/genetics , Pituitary Neoplasms/metabolism , Pituitary Neoplasms/pathology , Rats , Receptors, Somatostatin/genetics , Receptors, Somatostatin/metabolism , Signal Transduction , Somatotrophs/metabolism , Somatotrophs/pathology , Tumor Burden/drug effects
3.
World Neurosurg ; 132: 161-164, 2019 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31505284

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Double pituitary adenomas are a rare occurrence. Synchronous clinical manifestation is extremely rare. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report a case of a 51-year-old female with symptoms of both hypercortisolism and acromegaly during the past 2 years. Endocrine evaluation confirmed active acromegaly and revealed adrenocorticotropin hormone-dependent hypercortisolemia. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging of the pituitary demonstrated separated double microadenomas with different intensity. Immunohistochemical analysis of each separate adenoma confirmed an exact diagnosis. The diagnosis of acromegaly and adrenocorticotropin hormone-dependent Cushing's disease was confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: This is the third reported case in the literature of synchronous clinical manifestation of acromegaly and Cushing's disease. Extensive surgical exploration of the sella must be performed to avoid surgical failures from residual tumor. Immunohistochemical analysis is required to confirm an exact diagnosis for each of the double pituitary adenomas.


Subject(s)
ACTH-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma/diagnostic imaging , ACTH-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma/surgery , Acromegaly/diagnostic imaging , Acromegaly/etiology , Adenoma/diagnostic imaging , Adenoma/surgery , Pituitary ACTH Hypersecretion/diagnostic imaging , Pituitary ACTH Hypersecretion/etiology , Pituitary Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Pituitary Neoplasms/surgery , Corticotrophs/metabolism , Female , Humans , Hydrocortisone/metabolism , Immunohistochemistry , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Middle Aged , Neurosurgical Procedures , Somatotrophs/metabolism , Treatment Outcome
4.
J Cell Physiol ; 233(2): 1402-1413, 2018 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28542730

ABSTRACT

In this study, we focused on ERß regulation in the adenohypophysis under different estrogenic milieu, by analyzing whether ER modulates the phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) expression and its subcellular localization on anterior pituitary glands from Wistar rats and GH3 lactosomatotroph cells that over-expressed ERß. ERß was regulated in a cyclic manner, and underwent dynamic changes throughout the estrous cycle, with decreased ERß+ cells in estrus and under E2 treatment, but increased in ovariectomized rats. In addition, the ERα/ß ratio increased in estrus and under E2 stimulation, but decreased in ovariectomized rats. Double immunofluorescence revealed that lactotroph and somatotroph ERß+ were significantly decreased in estrus. Also, variations in the PTEN expression was observed, which was diminished with high E2 conditions but augmented with low E2 milieu. The subcellular localization of this phosphatase was cell cycle-dependent, with remarkable changes in the immunostaining pattern: nuclear in arrested pituitary cells but cytoplasmic in stimulated cells, and responding differently to ER agonists, with only DPN being able to increase PTEN expression and retaining it in the nucleus. Finally, ERß over-expression increased PTEN with a noticeable subcellular redistribution, and with a significant nuclear signal increase in correlation with an increase of cells in G0/G1 phase. These results showed that E2 is able to inhibit ERß expression and suggests that the tumoral suppressor PTEN might be one of the signaling proteins by which E2, through ERß, acts to modulate pituitary cell proliferation, thereby adapting endocrine populations in relation with hormonal necessities.


Subject(s)
Cell Proliferation , Estrogen Receptor beta/metabolism , Estrous Cycle/metabolism , Lactotrophs/enzymology , PTEN Phosphohydrolase/metabolism , Somatotrophs/enzymology , Animals , Cells, Cultured , Estradiol/metabolism , Estradiol/pharmacology , Estrogen Receptor beta/agonists , Estrogen Receptor beta/genetics , Estrogen Replacement Therapy , Female , G1 Phase , Lactotrophs/drug effects , Male , Nitriles/pharmacology , Ovariectomy , Rats, Wistar , Signal Transduction , Somatotrophs/drug effects , Transfection
5.
Med. UIS ; 30(2): 89-93, mayo-ago. 2017. graf
Article in Spanish | LILACS | ID: biblio-894210

ABSTRACT

RESUMEN Introducción: la acromegalia es una patología de larga evolución y compromiso multisistémico, originada por un aumento en la liberación de hormona de crecimiento luego del cierre metafisario de los huesos largos. Su diagnóstico es complejo y suele presentarse entre la quinta y sexta década de la vida. El tratamiento incluye la resección quirúrgica y manejo mediante quimioterapia y radioterapia, así como control endocrino fármacológico. La enfermedad presenta una tasa de recidiva comprendida entre el 2 a 14%. Presentación de caso: paciente femenina de 67 años de edad con diagnóstico de acromegalia hace 15 años, quien luego de ser sometida a tratamiento estándar, presenta manifestaciones clínicas progresivas y compatibles con una función hipofisaria activa. Conclusiones: la paciente en efecto presentó recidiva de la enfermedad con persistencia del tumor benigno, debido a la interrupción del tratamiento y el insuficiente seguimiento del caso; por tanto, es fundamental el seguimiento estricto en el paciente que recibe manejo quirúrgico y tratamiento farmacológico por parte del equipo de salud. MÉD.UIS. 2017;30(2):89-93.


ABSTRACT Introduction: acromegaly is a disease of long evolution and multisystemic involvement, caused by an increased release of growth hormone after the metaphyseal closure of long bones. Diagnosis is often difficult and usually occurs between the fifth and sixth decade of life. The treatment is based on surgical resection, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as on endocrine control by drugs. The disease has a low recurrence rate of from 2 to 14%. Case presentation: a 67 year old female patient with a diagnosis of acromegaly 15 years ago, who, after being subjected to standard treatment, presents progressive and clinical manifestations compatible with an active pituitary function. Conclusions: the patient relapsed effect of the disease with persistency of the benign tumor, due to the discontinuation of treatment and insufficient monitoring of the case; therefore strict monitoring is essential in patients receiving pharmacological therapy and surgical management by the health team. MÉD.UIS. 2017;30(2):89-93.


Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Aged , Pituitary Neoplasms , Growth Hormone-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma , Surgical Procedures, Operative , Acromegaly , Human Growth Hormone , Drug Therapy , Somatotrophs , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
6.
Endocrine ; 48(3): 929-36, 2015 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25151402

ABSTRACT

A variety of ion channels are expressed in the plasma membrane of somatotropes within the anterior pituitary gland. Modification of these channels is linked to intracellular Ca2+ levels and therefore to hormone secretion. Previous investigations have shown that the gut-derived orexigenic peptide hormone ghrelin and synthetic GH-releasing peptides (GHRPs) stimulate release of growth hormone (GH) and increase the number of functional voltage-gated Ca2+ and Na+ channels in the membrane of clonal GC somatotropes. Here, we reveal that chronic treatment with ghrelin and its synthetic analog GHRP-6 also increases GH release from bovine pituitary somatotropes in culture, and that this action is associated with a significant increase in Na+ macroscopic current. Consistent with this, Na+ current blockade with tetrodotoxin (TTX) abolished the ghrelin- and GHRP-6-induced increase in GH release. Furthermore, semi-quantitative and real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed an upregulation in the transcript levels of GH, as well as of NaV1.1 and NaV1.2, two isoforms of TTX-sensitive Na+ channels expressed in somatotropes, after treatment with ghrelin or GHRP-6. These findings improve our knowledge on (i) the cellular mechanisms involved in the control of GH secretion, (ii) the molecular diversity of Na+ channels in pituitary somatotropes, and (iii) the regulation of GH and Na+ channel gene expression by ghrelin and GHRPs.


Subject(s)
Ghrelin/pharmacology , Growth Hormone/biosynthesis , NAV1.1 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel/metabolism , NAV1.2 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel/metabolism , Somatotrophs/drug effects , Animals , Cattle , Cells, Cultured , Male , NAV1.1 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel/genetics , NAV1.2 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel/genetics , Oligopeptides/pharmacology , Pituitary Gland/cytology , Pituitary Gland/drug effects , Pituitary Gland/metabolism , Somatotrophs/cytology , Somatotrophs/metabolism , Up-Regulation/drug effects
7.
Gen Comp Endocrinol ; 203: 281-95, 2014 Jul 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24769041

ABSTRACT

Pituitary growth hormone (GH) has been studied in most vertebrate groups; however, only a few studies have been carried out in reptiles. Little is known about pituitary hormones in the order Squamata, to which the green iguana (gi) belongs. In this work, we characterized the hypophysis of Iguana iguana morphologically. The somatotrophs (round cells of 7.6-10 µm containing 250- to 300-nm secretory granules where the giGH is stored) were found, by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, exclusively in the caudal lobe of the pars distalis, whereas the lactotrophs were distributed only in the rostral lobe. A pituitary giGH-like protein was obtained by immuno-affinity chromatography employing a heterologous antibody against chicken GH. giGH showed molecular heterogeneity (22, 44, and 88 kDa by SDS-PAGE/Western blot under non-reducing conditions and at least four charge variants (pIs 6.2, 6.5, 6.9, 7.4) by isoelectric focusing. The pituitary giGH cDNA (1016 bp), amplified by PCR and RACE, encodes a pre-hormone of 218 aa, of which 190 aa correspond to the mature protein and 28 aa to the signal peptide. The giGH receptor cDNA was also partially sequenced. Phylogenetic analyses of the amino acid sequences of giGH and giGHR homologs in vertebrates suggest a parallel evolution and functional relationship between the GH and its receptor.


Subject(s)
Growth Hormone/genetics , Growth Hormone/metabolism , Iguanas/genetics , Iguanas/metabolism , Receptors, Somatotropin/genetics , Receptors, Somatotropin/metabolism , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Base Sequence , Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel , Evolution, Molecular , Immunohistochemistry , In Situ Hybridization , Molecular Sequence Data , Phylogeny , Pituitary Gland/metabolism , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Sequence Homology, Amino Acid , Somatotrophs/metabolism
8.
PLoS One ; 7(7): e41299, 2012.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22844453

ABSTRACT

Estrogens are key to anterior pituitary function, stimulating hormone release and controlling cell fate to achieve pituitary dynamic adaptation to changing physiological conditions. In addition to their classical mechanism of action through intracellular estrogen receptors (ERs), estrogens exert rapid actions via cell membrane-localized ERs (mERs). We previously showed that E2 exerts a rapid pro-apoptotic action in anterior pituitary cells, especially in lactotropes and somatotropes, through activation of mERs. In the present study, we examined the involvement of mERα in the rapid pro-apoptotic action of estradiol by TUNEL in primary cultures of anterior pituitary cells from ovariectomized rats using a cell-impermeable E2 conjugate (E2-BSA) and an ERα selective antagonist (MPP dihydrochloride). We studied mERα expression during the estrous cycle and its regulation by gonadal steroids in vivo by flow cytometry. We identified ERα variants in the plasma membrane of anterior pituitary cells during the estrous cycle and studied E2 regulation of these mERα variants in vitro by surface biotinylation and Western Blot. E2-BSA-induced apoptosis was abrogated by MPP in total anterior pituitary cells and lactotropes. In cycling rats, we detected a higher number of lactotropes and a lower number of somatotropes expressing mERα at proestrus than at diestrus. Acute E2 treatment increased the percentage of mERα-expressing lactotropes whereas it decreased the percentage of mERα-expressing somatotropes. We detected three mERα isoforms of 66, 39 and 22 kDa. Expression of mERα66 and mERα39 was higher at proestrus than at diestrus, and short-term E2 incubation increased expression of these two mERα variants. Our results indicate that the rapid apoptotic action exerted by E2 in lactotropes depends on mERα, probably full-length ERα and/or a 39 kDa ERα variant. Expression and activation of mERα variants in lactotropes could be one of the mechanisms through which E2 participates in anterior pituitary cell renewal during the estrous cycle.


Subject(s)
Cell Membrane/metabolism , Estradiol/pharmacology , Estrogen Receptor alpha/metabolism , Estrogens/pharmacology , Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects , Lactotrophs/drug effects , Lactotrophs/metabolism , Animals , Apoptosis/drug effects , Cell Membrane/drug effects , Estrous Cycle/drug effects , Female , Lactotrophs/cytology , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Somatotrophs/cytology , Somatotrophs/drug effects , Somatotrophs/metabolism , Time Factors
9.
Endocrine ; 39(1): 21-7, 2011 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21069582

ABSTRACT

We have previously reported that Fas activation induces apoptosis of anterior pituitary cells from rats at proestrus but not at diestrus and in an estrogen-dependent manner. In this study, we evaluated the effect of Fas activation on apoptosis of lactotropes and somatotropes during the estrous cycle and explored the action of gonadal steroids on Fas-induced apoptosis. Also, we studied whether changes in Fas expression are involved in the apoptotic response of anterior pituitary cells. Fas activation increased the percentage of TUNEL-positive lactotropes and somatotropes at proestrus but not at diestrus. FasL triggered apoptosis of somatotropes only when cells from ovariectomized rats were cultured in the presence of 17 ß-estradiol (E2). Progesterone (P4) blocked the apoptotic action of the Fas/FasL system in lactotropes and somatotropes incubated with E2. Both E2 and P4 increased the percentage of cells expressing Fas at the cell membrane. Our results show that Fas activation induces apoptosis of lactotropes and somatotropes at proestrus but not at diestrus. Gonadal steroids may be involved in the apoptotic response of lactotropes and somatotropes, suggesting that Fas activation is implicated in the renewal of these pituitary subpopulations during the estrous cycle. The effect of gonadal steroids on Fas expression may be only partially involved in regulation of the Fas/FasL apoptotic pathway in the anterior pituitary gland.


Subject(s)
Apoptosis/drug effects , Gonadal Steroid Hormones/pharmacology , Lactotrophs/cytology , Somatotrophs/cytology , fas Receptor/physiology , Animals , Apoptosis/physiology , Cells, Cultured , Estradiol/pharmacology , Estrous Cycle , Fas Ligand Protein/physiology , Female , Gene Expression/drug effects , In Situ Nick-End Labeling , Lactotrophs/drug effects , Ovariectomy , Pituitary Gland, Anterior/cytology , Progesterone/pharmacology , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Somatotrophs/drug effects , fas Receptor/genetics
10.
Neuroendocrinology ; 92(4): 215-23, 2010.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20980730

ABSTRACT

Estrogens are crucial determinants in the regulation of anterior pituitary function and maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Estrogen actions in this gland are exerted through both classical and non-classical mechanisms of action. This review summarizes the expression of classical α- and ß-estrogen receptors and variant isoforms of estrogen receptors in anterior pituitary cell subpopulations. We also analyze estrogen receptor signaling pathways involved in estrogenic actions in the anterior pituitary gland, especially in lactotropes and somatotropes. Complex interactions between multiple signaling pathways are involved in estrogen regulation of hormone secretion, cell proliferation and cell death in this gland. Insight into these pituitary responses to estrogens would help to understand pituitary function and tumorigenesis.


Subject(s)
Lactotrophs/physiology , Receptors, Estrogen/physiology , Somatotrophs/physiology , Animals , Humans , Lactotrophs/metabolism , Models, Biological , Pituitary Gland, Anterior/metabolism , Pituitary Gland, Anterior/physiology , Receptors, Estrogen/genetics , Receptors, Estrogen/metabolism , Signal Transduction/genetics , Signal Transduction/physiology , Somatotrophs/metabolism
11.
Int. j. morphol ; 28(3): 787-801, Sept. 2010. ilus
Article in English | LILACS | ID: lil-577187

ABSTRACT

The present ultrastructural observations demonstrate the presence of six cell types in the pars distalis of non-pregnant and pregnant bats of Taphozous longimanus. In the pars distalis of T. longimanus, STH cells are round to oval with eccentrically placed nucleus, numerous secretory granules and well developed Golgi indicate a cell under vigorous synthetic activity while those filled with secretory granules with reduced Golgi complex suggest reserve or storage state of cells. LTH cell is characterized by the large secretory granules, dilated endoplasmic reticulum and numerous mitochondria in the cytoplasm which indicate that these cells are hypertrophied and synthetically very active during pregnancy. ACTH cells are found either singly or in groups and are elongated or angular with long cytoplasmic processes. The size and peripheral arrangement of secretory granules are characteristic of ACTH cell. TSH cells are distributed mostly towards the periphery of the pars distalis of T. longimanus. They are elongated, polygonal or triangular in shape. The secretory granules are small, electron dense, 150-200 nm in diameter. The rough endoplasmic reticulum is very well developed. In FSH, the secretory granules are small (200 to 400 nm) and less in number and are distributed towards the periphery of the cell. FSH cells show well developed mitochondria, Golgi and rough endoplasmic reticulum indicating active state of FSH during estrus and pregnancy. The hypertrophy of FSH and LH cells during pregnancy is associated with filigreed cytoplasmic pattern giving a bizarre appearance. At late pregnancy, FSH and LH cells are highly active and synthesize large quantities of hormone as indicated by the development of cell organelles.


Las observaciones ultraestructurales actuales demuestran la presencia de seis tipos de células en la pars distalis de murciélagos Taphozous longimanus preñadas y no preñadas. En la pars distalis del T. longimanus, las células STH son redondas u ovaladas con un núcleo excéntrico, numerosos gránulos de secreción y un Golgi bien desarrollado que indican una célula en actividad de síntesis vigorosa, mientras que las llenas de gránulos de secreción con un complejo de Golgi reducido sugieren un estado celular de reserva o almacenamiento. Las células LTH se caracterizan por grandes gránulos de secreción, el retículo endoplásmico dilatado y numerosas mitocondrias en el citoplasma, indicando que estas células están hipertrofiadas y con una actividad sintética muy activa durante el embarazo. Células de ACTH se encuentran de forma individual o en grupos, son alargadas o angulares, con largos procesos citoplásmicos. El tamaño y la disposición periférica de los gránulos de secreción de ACTH son característicos de la célula. Células de TSH se distribuyen principalmente hacia la periferia de la pars distalis del T. longimanus. Ellos son alargadas, poligonales o de forma triangular. Los gránulos de secreción son pequeños, electrodensos, de 150-200 nm de diámetro. El retículo endoplasmático rugoso está muy bien desarrollado. En células FSH, los gránulos de secreción son pequeños (200 a 400 nm), menores en número y se distribuyen hacia la periferia de la célula. Células FSH muestran mitocondrias bien desarrolladas, Golgi y retículo endoplasmático rugoso que indica el estado activo de la FSH durante el estro y la preñez. La hipertrofia de las células de FSH y LH durante la preñez se asocia con un patrón citoplasmático filigrana dando una extraña apariencia. Al final de la preñez, las células de FSH y LH son muy activas y sintetizan grandes cantidades de hormonas, como producto del desarrollo de las organelos celulares.


Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Pregnancy , Pituitary Gland, Anterior/cytology , Pituitary Gland, Anterior/ultrastructure , Pregnancy, Animal , Chiroptera/anatomy & histology , Cytoplasmic Granules , Corticotrophs/ultrastructure , Gonadotrophs/ultrastructure , India , Lactotrophs/ultrastructure , Microscopy, Electron , Somatotrophs/ultrastructure , Thyrotrophs/ultrastructure
12.
J Neuroendocrinol ; 22(7): 758-64, 2010 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20456596

ABSTRACT

Apoptotic processes play an important role in the maintenance of cell numbers in the anterior pituitary gland during physiological endocrine events. In this review, we summarise the regulation of apoptosis of anterior pituitary cells, particularly lactotrophs, somatotrophs and gonadotrophs, and analyse the possible mechanisms involved in oestrogen-induced apoptosis in anterior pituitary cells. Oestrogens exert apoptotic actions in several cell types and act as modulators of pituitary cell renewal, sensitising cells to both mitogenic and apoptotic signals. Local synthesis of growth factors and cytokines induced by oestradiol as well as changes in phenotypic features that enhance the responsiveness of anterior pituitary cells to pro-apoptotic factors may account for cyclical apoptotic activity in anterior pituitary cells during the oestrous cycle. Considering that tissue homeostasis results from a balance between cell proliferation and death and that mechanisms involved in apoptosis are tightly regulated, defects in cell death processes could have a considerable physiopathological impact.


Subject(s)
Apoptosis/physiology , Estrogens/metabolism , Pituitary Gland, Anterior/physiology , Animals , Cell Proliferation , Cell Survival , Female , Gonadotrophs/metabolism , Lactotrophs/metabolism , Pituitary Gland, Anterior/cytology , Pregnancy , Signal Transduction/physiology , Somatotrophs/metabolism
13.
Cells Tissues Organs ; 190(1): 20-6, 2009.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18957836

ABSTRACT

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) provides a physiologic feedback effect within the somatotropic axis. Gene therapy was implemented in young female Sprague-Dawley rats which received 2 pituitary stereotaxic injections of a control recombinant adenoviral vector expressing green fluorescent protein (RAd-GFP) or IGF-I (RAd-IGF-I). The animals were sacrificed 7 days after injection. Previously, on day -23, the experimental groups received subcutaneous implants of 17-beta estradiol. Morphometric analysis revealed that the somatotrope cells in estrogen-treated rats without stereotaxic injections showed a significant (p < 0.01) increase in the cell size compared with intact controls (59.9 +/- 1.1 vs. 42.9 +/- 1.2 microm(2)) and had a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in cell density with respect to intact animals (10.5 +/- 0.1 vs. 19.7 +/- 1.7). The treatment of pituitary adenomas with RAd-IGF-I induced a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in cell size with respect to E(2) + RAd-GFP (51.3 +/- 0.3 vs. 58.9 +/- 0.3 microm(2)) and no changes in cell density compared with RAd-GFP-injected animals (12.8 +/- 1.7 vs. 10.5 +/- 0.1). Serum growth hormone was higher (p < 0.01) in estrogen-treated animals versus controls (146.7 +/- 6 vs. 73.9 +/- 9 ng/ml). In rats carrying estrogen-induced adenomas, RAd-IGF-I injection induced a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in serum growth hormone compared to RAd-GFP-injected animals (107.5 +/- 7 vs. 142.4 +/- 9 ng/ml). IGF-I gene therapy appears to be an effective approach for the treatment of experimental somatomammotropic pituitary tumors and could be potentially useful as an adjuvant of conventional therapies.


Subject(s)
Genetic Therapy , Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/genetics , Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/therapeutic use , Pituitary Neoplasms/therapy , Prolactinoma/genetics , Prolactinoma/therapy , Somatotrophs/pathology , Animals , Cell Count , Cell Size , Estrogens/administration & dosage , Estrogens/pharmacology , Female , Green Fluorescent Proteins/metabolism , Growth Hormone/blood , Implants, Experimental , Neoplasms, Experimental/blood , Neoplasms, Experimental/genetics , Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology , Neoplasms, Experimental/therapy , Pituitary Neoplasms/blood , Pituitary Neoplasms/genetics , Pituitary Neoplasms/pathology , Prolactin/blood , Prolactinoma/blood , Prolactinoma/pathology , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Rats, Transgenic , Somatotrophs/drug effects
14.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun ; 358(1): 59-65, 2007 Jun 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17481583

ABSTRACT

It is well established that pituitary somatotropes fire spontaneous action potentials (SAP) which generate Ca(2+) signals of sufficient amplitude to trigger growth hormone (GH) release. It is also known that ghrelin and synthetic GH-releasing peptides (GHRPs) stimulate GH secretion, though the mechanisms involved remain unclear. In the current report, we show that the chronic (96h) treatment with ghrelin and GHRP-6 increases the firing frequency of SAP in the somatotrope GC cell line. This action is associated with a significant increase in whole-cell inward current density. In addition, long-term application of Na(+) or L-type Ca(2+) current antagonists decreases GHRP-6-induced release of GH, indicating that the ionic currents that give rise to SAP play important roles for hormone secretion in the GC cells. Together, our results suggest that ghrelin and GHPR-6 may increase whole-cell inward current density thereby enhancing SAP firing frequency and facilitating GH secretion from GC somatotropes.


Subject(s)
Action Potentials/drug effects , Growth Hormone/metabolism , Oligopeptides/pharmacology , Peptide Hormones/pharmacology , Somatotrophs/drug effects , 3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester/pharmacology , Animals , Calcium Channel Agonists/pharmacology , Calcium Channel Blockers/pharmacology , Cell Line , Cell Line, Tumor , Ghrelin , Ion Channel Gating , Nifedipine/pharmacology , Patch-Clamp Techniques , Pituitary Neoplasms , Rats , Receptors, Somatotropin/metabolism , Somatotrophs/physiology
15.
Cells Tissues Organs ; 184(1): 23-30, 2006.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17190977

ABSTRACT

Thymulin is a thymic hormone involved in several aspects of intra- and extrathymic T-cell differentiation. Thymulin also possesses hypophysiotropic activity which suggests that this metallopeptide may play an important role in thymus-pituitary communication, particularly during early life. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of serum thymulin suppression from birth to peripuberty on the morphology of different pituitary cell populations in prepubertal C57Bl/6 mice. Animals were submitted to immunoneutralization of circulating thymulin from postnatal day 1 to the end of the study (age 32 days). From their 1st day of life, the animals were submitted to a protocol of intraperitoneal injections of rabbit anti-thymulin serum (alpha-FTS) and normal rabbit serum (NRS) in the controls. On their 33rd day of life, the animals were killed and their pituitaries were immediately dissected, fixed and immunostained using the EnVision system with primary antibodies against growth hormone, thyrotropin, corticotropin, gonadotropins and prolactin. Morphometry was performed by means of an image analysis system. The following parameters were calculated: volume density = Sigma cell area/reference area (RA); cell density (CD) = number of cells/RA, and cell size (expressed in microm2). Serum thymulin was measured by a rosette bioassay while pituitary hormones were assayed by radioimmunoassay. Serum prolactin, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, growth hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone were significantly lower in the alpha-FTS animals of either sex compared with the corresponding NRS counterparts. The somatotrope, lactotrope and corticotrope populations showed a significant decrease in CD, while cell hypertrophy was observed in some of the pituitary cell populations of the alpha-FTS group compared to the NRS group. In the alpha-FTS group, there were sex differences in the morphometric changes observed. Our results suggest that serum thymulin plays a significant role during early life in the postnatal maturation of endocrine cells of the mouse anterior pituitary gland.


Subject(s)
Antibodies/pharmacology , Pituitary Gland, Anterior/cytology , Thymic Factor, Circulating/deficiency , Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/blood , Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/metabolism , Animals , Animals, Newborn , Cell Count , Cell Size/drug effects , Corticotrophs/cytology , Corticotrophs/metabolism , Female , Gonadotrophs/cytology , Gonadotrophs/metabolism , Growth Hormone/blood , Growth Hormone/metabolism , Image Cytometry , Lactotrophs/cytology , Lactotrophs/metabolism , Luteinizing Hormone/blood , Luteinizing Hormone/metabolism , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Pituitary Gland, Anterior/growth & development , Pituitary Gland, Anterior/metabolism , Prolactin/blood , Prolactin/metabolism , Sex Factors , Sexual Maturation/drug effects , Somatotrophs/cytology , Somatotrophs/metabolism , Thymic Factor, Circulating/analysis , Thymic Factor, Circulating/immunology , Thyrotrophs/cytology , Thyrotrophs/metabolism , Thyrotropin/blood , Thyrotropin/metabolism
16.
Endocrinology ; 147(12): 5777-85, 2006 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16990344

ABSTRACT

Thyroid hormone was shown to induce actin cytoskeleton polymerization in hypothyroid astrocytes and osteoblastic cells by a nongenomic mechanism. Polyadenylation of GH mRNA, a process that depends on cytoskeleton-associated proteins, was also shown to be regulated by thyroid hormone. Here we investigated by histochemistry and immunohistochemistry whether acute (100 microg per 100 g body weight, iv, for 30 min) or chronic (5 microg per 100 g body weight, ip, 5 d) administration of T3 to thyroidectomized (Tx) and sham-operated rats affects the somatotrophs F-actin cytoskeleton arrangement and its potential repercussion on GH synthesis and secretion. Thyroidectomy dramatically decreased the amount of somatotrophs F-actin content and induced the disassembly of the actin cytoskeleton. These effects were reversed by acute and chronic administration of T3. In addition, in Tx rat somatotrophs, GH labeling was detected mostly at the cell periphery. After 30 min of T3 administration, GH labeling decreased at periphery and increased in the perinuclear region, suggesting that GH secretion and synthesis were stimulated by T3. No differences were detected in the total actin protein content, although a decrease in the F- and increase in G-actin contents were detected in Tx rat pituitaries, a panorama that was reversed by acute T3 treatment, as shown by Western blotting analysis. The sham-operated animals' somatotrophs were only mildly affected by acute T3 administration. The results indicate that the T3-induced rapid alterations on somatotroph actin cytoskeleton and GH cellular distribution resulted from actin filaments rearrangement, which characterizes a nongenomic action.


Subject(s)
Actin Cytoskeleton/drug effects , Actins/metabolism , Growth Hormone/biosynthesis , Growth Hormone/metabolism , Hypothyroidism/metabolism , Somatotrophs/drug effects , Thyroid Hormones/pharmacology , Actin Cytoskeleton/metabolism , Actins/analysis , Animals , Male , Pituitary Gland, Anterior/chemistry , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Somatotrophs/metabolism , Thyroidectomy/adverse effects , Tissue Distribution
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