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Qian Q, Li M, Zhang Z, Davis SW, Rahmouni K, Norris AW, Cao H, Ding WX, Hotamisligil GS, Yang L. Obesity disrupts the pituitary-hepatic UPR communication leading to NAFLD progression. Cell Metab 2024; 36:1550-1565.e9. [PMID: 38718793 PMCID: PMC11222033 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2024.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Obesity alters levels of pituitary hormones that govern hepatic immune-metabolic homeostasis, dysregulation of which leads to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the impact of obesity on intra-pituitary homeostasis is largely unknown. Here, we uncovered a blunted unfolded protein response (UPR) but elevated inflammatory signatures in pituitary glands of obese mice and humans. Furthermore, we found that obesity inflames the pituitary gland, leading to impaired pituitary inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α)-X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1) UPR branch, which is essential for protecting against pituitary endocrine defects and NAFLD progression. Intriguingly, pituitary IRE1-deletion resulted in hypothyroidism and suppressed the thyroid hormone receptor B (THRB)-mediated activation of Xbp1 in the liver. Conversely, activation of the hepatic THRB-XBP1 axis improved NAFLD in mice with pituitary UPR defect. Our study provides the first evidence and mechanism of obesity-induced intra-pituitary cellular defects and the pathophysiological role of pituitary-liver UPR communication in NAFLD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingwen Qian
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, Pappajohn Biomedical Institute, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Mark Li
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, Pappajohn Biomedical Institute, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Zeyuan Zhang
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, Pappajohn Biomedical Institute, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Shannon W Davis
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Kamal Rahmouni
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, Pappajohn Biomedical Institute, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Andrew W Norris
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Huojun Cao
- Iowa Institute for Oral Health Research, Division of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Department of Endodontics, University of Iowa College of Dentistry, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Wen-Xing Ding
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Gökhan S Hotamisligil
- Sabri Ülker Center for Metabolic Research, Department of Molecular Metabolism, Harvard T.H. School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA
| | - Ling Yang
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, Pappajohn Biomedical Institute, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
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2
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Banik J, Moreira ARS, Lim J, Tomlinson S, Hardy LL, Lagasse A, Haney A, Crimmins MR, Boehm U, Odle AK, MacNicol MC, Childs GV, MacNicol AM. The Musashi RNA binding proteins direct the translational activation of key pituitary mRNAs. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5918. [PMID: 38467682 PMCID: PMC10928108 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56002-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The pituitary functions as a master endocrine gland that secretes hormones critical for regulation of a wide variety of physiological processes including reproduction, growth, metabolism and stress responses. The distinct hormone-producing cell lineages within the pituitary display remarkable levels of cell plasticity that allow remodeling of the relative proportions of each hormone-producing cell population to meet organismal demands. The molecular mechanisms governing pituitary cell plasticity have not been fully elucidated. Our recent studies have implicated a role for the Musashi family of sequence-specific mRNA binding proteins in the control of pituitary hormone production, pituitary responses to hypothalamic stimulation and modulation of pituitary transcription factor expression in response to leptin signaling. To date, these actions of Musashi in the pituitary appear to be mediated through translational repression of the target mRNAs. Here, we report Musashi1 directs the translational activation, rather than repression, of the Prop1, Gata2 and Nr5a1 mRNAs which encode key pituitary lineage specification factors. We observe that Musashi1 further directs the translational activation of the mRNA encoding the glycolipid Neuronatin (Nnat) as determined both in mRNA reporter assays as well as in vivo. Our findings suggest a complex bifunctional role for Musashi1 in the control of pituitary cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jewel Banik
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W Markham, Slot 814, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Ana Rita Silva Moreira
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W Markham, Slot 814, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Juchan Lim
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W Markham, Slot 814, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Sophia Tomlinson
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W Markham, Slot 814, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Linda L Hardy
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W Markham, Slot 814, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Alex Lagasse
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W Markham, Slot 814, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Anessa Haney
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W Markham, Slot 814, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Meghan R Crimmins
- Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Ulrich Boehm
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Signaling, Saarland University School of Medicine, Homburg, Germany
| | - Angela K Odle
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W Markham, Slot 814, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Melanie C MacNicol
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W Markham, Slot 814, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Gwen V Childs
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W Markham, Slot 814, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Angus M MacNicol
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W Markham, Slot 814, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA.
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3
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Pérez Millán MI, Cheung LYM, Mercogliano F, Camilletti MA, Chirino Felker GT, Moro LN, Miriuka S, Brinkmeier ML, Camper SA. Pituitary stem cells: past, present and future perspectives. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2024; 20:77-92. [PMID: 38102391 PMCID: PMC10964491 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-023-00922-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Pituitary cells that express the transcription factor SOX2 are stem cells because they can self-renew and differentiate into multiple pituitary hormone-producing cell types as organoids. Wounding and physiological challenges can activate pituitary stem cells, but cell numbers are not fully restored, and the ability to mobilize stem cells decreases with increasing age. The basis of these limitations is still unknown. The regulation of stem cell quiescence and activation involves many different signalling pathways, including those mediated by WNT, Hippo and several cytokines; more research is needed to understand the interactions between these pathways. Pituitary organoids can be formed from human or mouse embryonic stem cells, or from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Human pituitary organoid transplantation is sufficient to induce corticosterone release in hypophysectomized mice, raising the possibility of therapeutic applications. Today, pituitary organoids have the potential to assess the role of individual genes and genetic variants on hormone production ex vivo, providing an important tool for the advancement of exciting frontiers in pituitary stem cell biology and pituitary organogenesis. In this article, we provide an overview of notable discoveries in pituitary stem cell function and highlight important areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Inés Pérez Millán
- Institute of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Translational Biology (IB3-UBA), University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Leonard Y M Cheung
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Florencia Mercogliano
- Institute of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Translational Biology (IB3-UBA), University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria Andrea Camilletti
- Institute of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Translational Biology (IB3-UBA), University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gonzalo T Chirino Felker
- Laboratory of Applied Research of Neurosciences (LIAN-CONICET), FLENI Sede Escobar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucia N Moro
- Laboratory of Applied Research of Neurosciences (LIAN-CONICET), FLENI Sede Escobar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Santiago Miriuka
- Laboratory of Applied Research of Neurosciences (LIAN-CONICET), FLENI Sede Escobar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Michelle L Brinkmeier
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sally A Camper
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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4
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Chen Q, Leshkowitz D, Li H, van Impel A, Schulte-Merker S, Amit I, Rizzoti K, Levkowitz G. Neural plate progenitors give rise to both anterior and posterior pituitary cells. Dev Cell 2023; 58:2652-2665.e6. [PMID: 37683631 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
The pituitary is the master neuroendocrine gland, which regulates body homeostasis. It consists of the anterior pituitary/adenohypophysis harboring hormones producing cells and the posterior pituitary/neurohypophysis, which relays the passage of hormones from the brain to the periphery. It is accepted that the adenohypophysis originates from the oral ectoderm (Rathke's pouch), whereas the neural ectoderm contributes to the neurohypophysis. Single-cell transcriptomics of the zebrafish pituitary showed that cyp26b1-positive astroglial pituicytes of the neurohypophysis and prop1-positive adenohypophyseal progenitors expressed common markers implying lineage relatedness. Genetic tracing identifies that, in contrast to the prevailing dogma, neural plate precursors of zebrafish (her4.3+) and mouse (Sox1+) contribute to both neurohypophyseal and a subset of adenohypophyseal cells. Pituicyte-derived retinoic-acid-degrading enzyme Cyp26b1 fine-tunes differentiation of prop1+ progenitors into hormone-producing cells. These results challenge the notion that adenohypophyseal cells are exclusively derived from non-neural ectoderm and demonstrate that crosstalk between neuro- and adeno-hypophyseal cells affects differentiation of pituitary cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyu Chen
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, PO Box 26, Rehovot 7610001, Israel; Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, PO Box 26, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Dena Leshkowitz
- Life Science Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, PO Box 26, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Hanjie Li
- Department of Systems Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, PO Box 26, Rehovot 7610001, Israel; Present address: CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Andreas van Impel
- Institute for Cardiovascular Organogenesis and Regeneration, Faculty of Medicine, Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence, WWU Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Stefan Schulte-Merker
- Institute for Cardiovascular Organogenesis and Regeneration, Faculty of Medicine, Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence, WWU Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Ido Amit
- Department of Systems Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, PO Box 26, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Karine Rizzoti
- Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Gil Levkowitz
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, PO Box 26, Rehovot 7610001, Israel; Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, PO Box 26, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
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5
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Li Y, Wang J, Wang R, Chang Y, Wang X. Gut bacteria induce IgA expression in pituitary hormone-secreting cells during aging. iScience 2023; 26:107747. [PMID: 37692284 PMCID: PMC10492204 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Pituitary hormone decline is a hallmark of aging. However, the precise gene regulation mechanism during pituitary aging is unclear. Here, we characterized the cell population alteration and global transcriptional change during pituitary aging through single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). We found that mRNA-encoding components of protein translational machinery declined the most in the pituitary during aging. Remarkably, Immunoglobulin A (IgA) was found to be expressed in hormone-secreting cells, and the IgA expression level increased dramatically in aged pituitary. Moreover, the pituitary IgA expression was regulated by gut microbiota. The non-hematopoietic origin of the IgA+ cells in the pituitary was further confirmed through bone marrow transplantation. Somatotropes were identified as the most prominent IgA-producing cells through lineage tracing. Thus, pituitary hormone-secreting cells can generate IgA in an age-dependent manner, and such a process is influenced by gut bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehua Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, 7 Science Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing 102206, China
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiawen Wang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, 7 Science Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing 102206, China
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Wang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, 7 Science Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing 102206, China
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Chang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, 7 Science Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing 102206, China
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, 7 Science Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing 102206, China
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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6
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Takebe N, Hojo M, Takada S, Sugita Y, Tanigaki K, Tanji M, Miyamoto S. Contribution of PROP1 in the pathogenesis of Cushing’s disease: A preliminary study. INTERDISCIPLINARY NEUROSURGERY 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.inat.2022.101691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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7
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Fontaine R, Rahmad Royan M, Henkel C, Hodne K, Ager-Wick E, Weltzien FA. Pituitary multi-hormone cells in mammals and fish: history, origin, and roles. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 67:101018. [PMID: 35870647 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The vertebrate pituitary is a dynamic organ, capable of adapting its hormone secretion to different physiological demands. In this context, endocrinologists have debated for the past 40 years if endocrine cells are mono- or multi-hormonal. Since its establishment, the dominant "one cell, one hormone" model has been continuously challenged. In mammals, the use of advanced multi-staining approaches, sensitive gene expression techniques, and the analysis of tumor tissues have helped to quickly demonstrate the existence of pituitary multi-hormone cells. In fishes however, only recent advances in imaging and transcriptomics have enabled the identification of such cells. In this review, we first describe the history of the discovery of cells producing multiple hormones in mammals and fishes. We discuss the technical limitations that have led to uncertainties and debates. Then, we present the current knowledge and hypotheses regarding their origin and biological role, which provides a comprehensive review of pituitary plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Fontaine
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
| | - Muhammad Rahmad Royan
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Christiaan Henkel
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Kjetil Hodne
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Eirill Ager-Wick
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Finn-Arne Weltzien
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
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8
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Bando H, Brinkmeier ML, Castinetti F, Fang Q, Lee MS, Saveanu A, Albarel F, Dupuis C, Brue T, Camper SA. Heterozygous variants in SIX3 and POU1F1 cause pituitary hormone deficiency in mouse and man. Hum Mol Genet 2022; 32:367-385. [PMID: 35951005 PMCID: PMC9851746 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddac192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Congenital hypopituitarism is a genetically heterogeneous condition that is part of a spectrum disorder that can include holoprosencephaly. Heterozygous mutations in SIX3 cause variable holoprosencephaly in humans and mice. We identified two children with neonatal hypopituitarism and thin pituitary stalk who were doubly heterozygous for rare, likely deleterious variants in the transcription factors SIX3 and POU1F1. We used genetically engineered mice to understand the disease pathophysiology. Pou1f1 loss-of-function heterozygotes are unaffected; Six3 heterozygotes have pituitary gland dysmorphology and incompletely ossified palate; and the Six3+/-; Pou1f1+/dw double heterozygote mice have a pronounced phenotype, including pituitary growth through the palate. The interaction of Pou1f1 and Six3 in mice supports the possibility of digenic pituitary disease in children. Disruption of Six3 expression in the oral ectoderm completely ablated anterior pituitary development, and deletion of Six3 in the neural ectoderm blocked the development of the pituitary stalk and both anterior and posterior pituitary lobes. Six3 is required in both oral and neural ectodermal tissues for the activation of signaling pathways and transcription factors necessary for pituitary cell fate. These studies clarify the mechanism of SIX3 action in pituitary development and provide support for a digenic basis for hypopituitarism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Frederic Castinetti
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Department of Endocrinology, Hôpital de la Conception, Centre de Référence des Maladies Rares de l’hypophyse HYPO, Marseille, France,Aix-Marseille Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1251, Marseille Medical Genetics (MMG), Institut Marseille, Maladies Rares (MarMaRa), Marseille, France
| | - Qing Fang
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Mi-Sun Lee
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Alexandru Saveanu
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Department of Endocrinology, Hôpital de la Conception, Centre de Référence des Maladies Rares de l’hypophyse HYPO, Marseille, France,Aix-Marseille Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1251, Marseille Medical Genetics (MMG), Institut Marseille, Maladies Rares (MarMaRa), Marseille, France
| | - Frédérique Albarel
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Department of Endocrinology, Hôpital de la Conception, Centre de Référence des Maladies Rares de l’hypophyse HYPO, Marseille, France,Aix-Marseille Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1251, Marseille Medical Genetics (MMG), Institut Marseille, Maladies Rares (MarMaRa), Marseille, France
| | - Clémentine Dupuis
- Department of Pediatrics, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Grenoble-Alpes, site Nord, Hôpital Couple Enfants, Grenoble, France
| | - Thierry Brue
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Department of Endocrinology, Hôpital de la Conception, Centre de Référence des Maladies Rares de l’hypophyse HYPO, Marseille, France,Aix-Marseille Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1251, Marseille Medical Genetics (MMG), Institut Marseille, Maladies Rares (MarMaRa), Marseille, France
| | - Sally A Camper
- To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, 5704 Medical Science Building II, 1241 Catherine St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. Tel: +1-734-763-0682; Fax: +1-734-763-3784;
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9
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Guérineau NC, Campos P, Le Tissier PR, Hodson DJ, Mollard P. Cell Networks in Endocrine/Neuroendocrine Gland Function. Compr Physiol 2022; 12:3371-3415. [PMID: 35578964 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c210031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Reproduction, growth, stress, and metabolism are determined by endocrine/neuroendocrine systems that regulate circulating hormone concentrations. All these systems generate rhythms and changes in hormone pulsatility observed in a variety of pathophysiological states. Thus, the output of endocrine/neuroendocrine systems must be regulated within a narrow window of effective hormone concentrations but must also maintain a capacity for plasticity to respond to changing physiological demands. Remarkably most endocrinologists still have a "textbook" view of endocrine gland organization which has emanated from 20th century histological studies on thin 2D tissue sections. However, 21st -century technological advances, including in-depth 3D imaging of specific cell types have vastly changed our knowledge. We now know that various levels of multicellular organization can be found across different glands, that organizational motifs can vary between species and can be modified to enhance or decrease hormonal release. This article focuses on how the organization of cells regulates hormone output using three endocrine/neuroendocrine glands that present different levels of organization and complexity: the adrenal medulla, with a single neuroendocrine cell type; the anterior pituitary, with multiple intermingled cell types; and the pancreas with multiple intermingled cell types organized into distinct functional units. We give an overview of recent methodologies that allow the study of the different components within endocrine systems, particularly their temporal and spatial relationships. We believe the emerging findings about network organization, and its impact on hormone secretion, are crucial to understanding how homeostatic regulation of endocrine axes is carried out within endocrine organs themselves. © 2022 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 12:3371-3415, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pauline Campos
- College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Paul R Le Tissier
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - David J Hodson
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR), University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK.,Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK.,COMPARE University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham Midlands, UK.,Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (OCDEM), NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Churchill Hospital, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Patrice Mollard
- IGF, University of Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
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The multiciliated cells in Rathke's cleft express CYP26A1 and respond to retinoic acid in the pituitary. Cell Tissue Res 2022; 388:583-594. [PMID: 35316373 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-022-03614-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The adenohypophysis consists of the anterior and intermediate lobes (AL and IL). The marginal cell layer (MCL), including the ventral region of the IL and the dorsal region of the AL lining the Rathke's cleft, acts as the primary stem/progenitor cell niches in adult adenohypophysis. The cells of the MCL on the IL side consisted of cluster of differentiation 9 (CD9)-positive stem/progenitor cells with or without motile cilia. However, any additional cellular properties of multiciliated CD9-positive cells are not known. The present study aimed to identify the character of the multiciliated cells in stem cell niche of the pituitary gland. We observed the fine structure of the multiciliated cells in the MCL of male Wistar rats at an early stage after birth and in adulthood (P60) using scanning electron microscopy. Since the previous study showed that the MCL cells of adult rats synthesize retinoic acid (RA), the present study determined whether the multiciliated cells are involved in RA regulation by the expression of retinal aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (RALDH1) and CYP26A1, an enzyme synthesizing and degrading RA, respectively. Results showed that 96% of multiciliated cells in adult male rats expressed CYP26A1, while 60% expressed RALDH1. Furthermore, the isolated CD9-positive cells from the IL side MCL responded to RA and activated the degradation system of RA by increasing Cyp26a1 expression. These findings indicated that multiciliated cells are involved in RA metabolism in the MCL. Our observations provide novel insights regarding the stem cell niche of the adult pituitary.
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Stallings CE, Kapali J, Evans BW, McGee SR, Ellsworth BS. FOXO Transcription Factors Are Required for Normal Somatotrope Function and Growth. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6490941. [PMID: 34971379 PMCID: PMC8782608 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying pituitary organogenesis and function is essential for improving therapeutics and molecular diagnoses for hypopituitarism. We previously found that deletion of the forkhead factor, Foxo1, in the pituitary gland early in development delays somatotrope differentiation. While these mice grow normally, they have reduced growth hormone expression and free serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) levels, suggesting a defect in somatotrope function. FOXO factors show functional redundancy in other tissues, so we deleted both Foxo1 and its closely related family member, Foxo3, from the primordial pituitary. We find that this results in a significant reduction in growth. Consistent with this, male and female mice in which both genes have been deleted in the pituitary gland (dKO) exhibit reduced pituitary growth hormone expression and serum IGF1 levels. Expression of the somatotrope differentiation factor, Neurod4, is reduced in these mice. This suggests a mechanism underlying proper somatotrope function is the regulation of Neurod4 expression by FOXO factors. Additionally, dKO mice have reduced Lhb expression and females also have reduced Fshb and Prl expression. These studies reveal FOXO transcription factors as important regulators of pituitary gland function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin E Stallings
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Jyoti Kapali
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Brian W Evans
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Stacey R McGee
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Buffy S Ellsworth
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
- Correspondence: Buffy S. Ellsworth, Ph.D., Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, 1135 Lincoln Drive, Life Science III room 2062, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA.
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Gergics P, Smith C, Bando H, Jorge AAL, Rockstroh-Lippold D, Vishnopolska SA, Castinetti F, Maksutova M, Carvalho LRS, Hoppmann J, Martínez Mayer J, Albarel F, Braslavsky D, Keselman A, Bergadá I, Martí MA, Saveanu A, Barlier A, Abou Jamra R, Guo MH, Dauber A, Nakaguma M, Mendonca BB, Jayakody SN, Ozel AB, Fang Q, Ma Q, Li JZ, Brue T, Pérez Millán MI, Arnhold IJP, Pfaeffle R, Kitzman JO, Camper SA. High-throughput splicing assays identify missense and silent splice-disruptive POU1F1 variants underlying pituitary hormone deficiency. Am J Hum Genet 2021; 108:1526-1539. [PMID: 34270938 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2021.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pituitary hormone deficiency occurs in ∼1:4,000 live births. Approximately 3% of the cases are due to mutations in the alpha isoform of POU1F1, a pituitary-specific transcriptional activator. We found four separate heterozygous missense variants in unrelated individuals with hypopituitarism that were predicted to affect a minor isoform, POU1F1 beta, which can act as a transcriptional repressor. These variants retain repressor activity, but they shift splicing to favor the expression of the beta isoform, resulting in dominant-negative loss of function. Using a high-throughput splicing reporter assay, we tested 1,070 single-nucleotide variants in POU1F1. We identified 96 splice-disruptive variants, including 14 synonymous variants. In separate cohorts, we found two additional synonymous variants nominated by this screen that co-segregate with hypopituitarism. This study underlines the importance of evaluating the impact of variants on splicing and provides a catalog for interpretation of variants of unknown significance in POU1F1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Gergics
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5618, USA
| | - Cathy Smith
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5618, USA; Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2218, USA
| | - Hironori Bando
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5618, USA
| | - Alexander A L Jorge
- Genetic Endocrinology Unit (LIM25), Division of Endocrinology, Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 01246-903, Brazil
| | - Denise Rockstroh-Lippold
- Department of Women's and Child Health, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Sebastian A Vishnopolska
- Instituto de Biociencias, Biotecnología y Biología Traslacional, Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, CABA CE1428EHA, Argentina
| | - Frederic Castinetti
- Aix Marseille University, AP-HM, INSERM, Marseille Medical Genetics, Marmara Institute, La Conception Hospital, Department of Endocrinology, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Mariam Maksutova
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5618, USA
| | - Luciani Renata Silveira Carvalho
- Developmental Endocrinology Unit, Laboratory of Hormones and Molecular Genetics LIM/42, Division of Endocrinology, Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-900, Brazil
| | - Julia Hoppmann
- Department of Women's and Child Health, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Julián Martínez Mayer
- Instituto de Biociencias, Biotecnología y Biología Traslacional, Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, CABA CE1428EHA, Argentina
| | - Frédérique Albarel
- Aix Marseille University, AP-HM, INSERM, Marseille Medical Genetics, Marmara Institute, La Conception Hospital, Department of Endocrinology, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Debora Braslavsky
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergadá," FEI - CONICET - División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, CABA CE1428EHA, Argentina
| | - Ana Keselman
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergadá," FEI - CONICET - División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, CABA CE1428EHA, Argentina
| | - Ignacio Bergadá
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergadá," FEI - CONICET - División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, CABA CE1428EHA, Argentina
| | - Marcelo A Martí
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires e Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales CONICET, Pabellòn 2 de Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, CABA C1428EHA, Argentina
| | - Alexandru Saveanu
- Aix Marseille University, AP-HM, INSERM, Marseille Medical Genetics, Marmara Institute, La Conception Hospital, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Marseille 13385, France
| | - Anne Barlier
- Aix Marseille University, AP-HM, INSERM, Marseille Medical Genetics, Marmara Institute, La Conception Hospital, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Marseille 13385, France
| | - Rami Abou Jamra
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Michael H Guo
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Andrew Dauber
- Cincinnati Center for Growth Disorders, Division of Endocrinology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Marilena Nakaguma
- Developmental Endocrinology Unit, Laboratory of Hormones and Molecular Genetics LIM/42, Division of Endocrinology, Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-900, Brazil
| | - Berenice B Mendonca
- Developmental Endocrinology Unit, Laboratory of Hormones and Molecular Genetics LIM/42, Division of Endocrinology, Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-900, Brazil
| | - Sajini N Jayakody
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5618, USA
| | - A Bilge Ozel
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5618, USA
| | - Qing Fang
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5618, USA
| | - Qianyi Ma
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5618, USA
| | - Jun Z Li
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5618, USA
| | - Thierry Brue
- Aix Marseille University, AP-HM, INSERM, Marseille Medical Genetics, Marmara Institute, La Conception Hospital, Department of Endocrinology, Marseille 13005, France
| | - María Ines Pérez Millán
- Instituto de Biociencias, Biotecnología y Biología Traslacional, Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, CABA CE1428EHA, Argentina
| | - Ivo J P Arnhold
- Developmental Endocrinology Unit, Laboratory of Hormones and Molecular Genetics LIM/42, Division of Endocrinology, Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-900, Brazil
| | - Roland Pfaeffle
- Department of Women's and Child Health, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig 04103, Germany; Institute of Human Genetics, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Jacob O Kitzman
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5618, USA; Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2218, USA.
| | - Sally A Camper
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5618, USA.
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Daly AZ, Mortensen AH, Bando H, Camper SA. Pituitary Tumors and Immortalized Cell Lines Generated by Cre-Inducible Expression of SV40 T Antigen. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6219492. [PMID: 33837405 PMCID: PMC8183496 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Targeted oncogenesis is the process of driving tumor formation by engineering transgenic mice that express an oncogene under the control of a cell-type specific promoter. Such tumors can be adapted to cell culture, providing immortalized cell lines. To make it feasible to follow the process of tumorigenesis and increase the opportunity for generating cell lines, we developed a mouse strain that expresses SV40 T antigens in response to Cre-recombinase. Using CRISPR/Cas9 we inserted a cassette with coding sequences for SV40 T antigens and an internal ribosome entry site with green fluorescent protein cassette (IRES-GFP) into the Rosa26 locus, downstream from a stop sequence flanked by loxP sites: Rosa26LSL-SV40-GFP. These mice were mated with previously established Prop1-cre and Tshb-cre transgenic lines. Both the Rosa26LSL-SV40-GFP/+; Prop1-cre and Rosa26LSL-SV40-GFP/+; Tshb-cre mice developed fully penetrant dwarfism and large tumors by 4 weeks. Tumors from both of these mouse lines were adapted to growth in cell culture. We have established a progenitor-like cell line (PIT-P1) that expresses Sox2 and Pitx1, and a thyrotrope-like cell line (PIT-T1) that expresses Pou1f1 and Cga. These studies demonstrate the utility of the novel, Rosa26LSL-SV40-GFP mouse line for reliable targeted oncogenesis and development of unique cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hironori Bando
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Sally A Camper
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Correspondence: Sally A. Camper, Ph.D., 5704 Medical Science Building II, 1301 Catherine St, Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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14
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Gualtieri A, Kyprianou N, Gregory LC, Vignola ML, Nicholson JG, Tan R, Inoue SI, Scagliotti V, Casado P, Blackburn J, Abollo-Jimenez F, Marinelli E, Besser REJ, Högler W, Karen Temple I, Davies JH, Gagunashvili A, Robinson ICAF, Camper SA, Davis SW, Cutillas PR, Gevers EF, Aoki Y, Dattani MT, Gaston-Massuet C. Activating mutations in BRAF disrupt the hypothalamo-pituitary axis leading to hypopituitarism in mice and humans. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2028. [PMID: 33795686 PMCID: PMC8016902 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21712-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Germline mutations in BRAF and other components of the MAPK pathway are associated with the congenital syndromes collectively known as RASopathies. Here, we report the association of Septo-Optic Dysplasia (SOD) including hypopituitarism and Cardio-Facio-Cutaneous (CFC) syndrome in patients harbouring mutations in BRAF. Phosphoproteomic analyses demonstrate that these genetic variants are gain-of-function mutations leading to activation of the MAPK pathway. Activation of the MAPK pathway by conditional expression of the BrafV600E/+ allele, or the knock-in BrafQ241R/+ allele (corresponding to the most frequent human CFC-causing mutation, BRAF p.Q257R), leads to abnormal cell lineage determination and terminal differentiation of hormone-producing cells, causing hypopituitarism. Expression of the BrafV600E/+ allele in embryonic pituitary progenitors leads to an increased expression of cell cycle inhibitors, cell growth arrest and apoptosis, but not tumour formation. Our findings show a critical role of BRAF in hypothalamo-pituitary-axis development both in mouse and human and implicate mutations found in RASopathies as a cause of endocrine deficiencies in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelica Gualtieri
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts & the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Nikolina Kyprianou
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts & the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Louise C Gregory
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Research and Teaching Department, UCL, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Maria Lillina Vignola
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts & the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - James G Nicholson
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts & the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Rachael Tan
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts & the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Shin-Ichi Inoue
- Department of Medical Genetics, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Valeria Scagliotti
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts & the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Pedro Casado
- Integrative Cell Signalling and Proteomics, Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - James Blackburn
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts & the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Fernando Abollo-Jimenez
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts & the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Eugenia Marinelli
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts & the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Rachael E J Besser
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Research and Teaching Department, UCL, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Wolfgang Högler
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - I Karen Temple
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Justin H Davies
- Child Health Directorate, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine University of Southampton and Wessex Clinical Genetics Service, Southampton, UK
| | - Andrey Gagunashvili
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Children NHS Foundation Trust and UCL, London, UK
| | | | - Sally A Camper
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Shannon W Davis
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Pedro R Cutillas
- Integrative Cell Signalling and Proteomics, Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Evelien F Gevers
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts & the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Yoko Aoki
- Department of Medical Genetics, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Mehul T Dattani
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Research and Teaching Department, UCL, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Carles Gaston-Massuet
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts & the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
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Matsumoto R, Takahashi Y. Human pituitary development and application of iPSCs for pituitary disease. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:2069-2079. [PMID: 33206204 PMCID: PMC11071979 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03692-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The pituitary plays a pivotal role in maintaining systemic homeostasis by secreting several hormones. During fetal development, the pituitary develops from the oral ectoderm in contact with the adjacent hypothalamus. This process is regulated by the fine-tuned expression of transcription and growth factors. Impairments of this process result in congenital pituitary hypoplasia leading to dysfunction of the pituitary. Although animal models such as knockout mice have helped to clarify these underlying mechanisms, the developmental processes of the human pituitary gland and the mechanisms of human pituitary disorders have not been fully understood. This is because, at least in part, of the lack of a human pituitary developmental model. Recently, methods for in vitro induction of the pituitary gland from human pluripotent stem cells were developed. These models can be utilized not only for regenerative medicine but also for human pituitary studies on developmental biology and for modeling of pituitary disorders, such as hypopituitarism and pituitary tumors. In this review, we provide an overview of recent progress in the applications of pluripotent stem cells for pituitary research and discuss further perspectives for pituitary studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryusaku Matsumoto
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yutaka Takahashi
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan.
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8522, Japan.
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16
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List EO, Basu R, Duran-Ortiz S, Krejsa J, Jensen EA. Mouse models of growth hormone deficiency. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2021; 22:3-16. [PMID: 33033978 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-020-09601-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Nearly one century of research using growth hormone deficient (GHD) mouse lines has contributed greatly toward our knowledge of growth hormone (GH), a pituitary-derived hormone that binds and signals through the GH receptor and affects many metabolic processes throughout life. Although delayed sexual maturation, decreased fertility, reduced muscle mass, increased adiposity, small body size, and glucose intolerance appear to be among the negative characteristics of these GHD mouse lines, these mice still consistently outlive their normal sized littermates. Furthermore, the absence of GH action in these mouse lines leads to enhanced insulin sensitivity (likely due to the lack of GH's diabetogenic actions), delayed onset for a number of age-associated physiological declines (including cognition, cancer, and neuromusculoskeletal frailty), reduced cellular senescence, and ultimately, extended lifespan. In this review, we provide details about history, availability, growth, physiology, and aging of five commonly used GHD mouse lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward O List
- The Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, 172 Water Tower Drive, Athens, OH, 45701, USA.
- The Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, 45701, USA.
| | - Reetobrata Basu
- The Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, 172 Water Tower Drive, Athens, OH, 45701, USA
| | - Silvana Duran-Ortiz
- The Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, 172 Water Tower Drive, Athens, OH, 45701, USA
| | - Jackson Krejsa
- The Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, 172 Water Tower Drive, Athens, OH, 45701, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Jensen
- The Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, 172 Water Tower Drive, Athens, OH, 45701, USA
- The Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, 45701, USA
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17
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Brinkmeier ML, Bando H, Camarano AC, Fujio S, Yoshimoto K, de Souza FS, Camper SA. Rathke's cleft-like cysts arise from Isl1 deletion in murine pituitary progenitors. J Clin Invest 2021; 130:4501-4515. [PMID: 32453714 DOI: 10.1172/jci136745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor ISL1 is expressed in pituitary gland stem cells and the thyrotrope and gonadotrope lineages. Pituitary-specific Isl1 deletion causes hypopituitarism with increased stem cell apoptosis, reduced differentiation of thyrotropes and gonadotropes, and reduced body size. Conditional Isl1 deletion causes development of multiple Rathke's cleft-like cysts, with 100% penetrance. Foxa1 and Foxj1 are abnormally expressed in the pituitary gland and associated with a ciliogenic gene-expression program in the cysts. We confirmed expression of FOXA1, FOXJ1, and stem cell markers in human Rathke's cleft cyst tissue, but not craniopharyngiomas, which suggests these transcription factors are useful, pathological markers for diagnosis of Rathke's cleft cysts. These studies support a model whereby expression of ISL1 in pituitary progenitors drives differentiation into thyrotropes and gonadotropes and without it, activation of FOXA1 and FOXJ1 permits development of an oral epithelial cell fate with mucinous cysts. This pituitary-specific Isl1 mouse knockout sheds light on the etiology of Rathke's cleft cysts and the role of ISL1 in normal pituitary development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L Brinkmeier
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Hironori Bando
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Adriana C Camarano
- Institute of Physiology, Molecular Biology, and Neurosciences-IFIBYNE-CONICET, Pabellon IFIBYNE, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Shingo Fujio
- Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Department of Neurosurgery, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Koji Yoshimoto
- Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Department of Neurosurgery, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Flávio Sj de Souza
- Institute of Physiology, Molecular Biology, and Neurosciences-IFIBYNE-CONICET, Pabellon IFIBYNE, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sally A Camper
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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18
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Laporte E, Vennekens A, Vankelecom H. Pituitary Remodeling Throughout Life: Are Resident Stem Cells Involved? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 11:604519. [PMID: 33584539 PMCID: PMC7879485 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.604519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The pituitary gland has the primordial ability to dynamically adapt its cell composition to changing hormonal needs of the organism throughout life. During the first weeks after birth, an impressive growth and maturation phase is occurring in the gland during which the distinct hormonal cell populations expand. During pubertal growth and development, growth hormone (GH) levels need to peak which requires an adaptive enterprise in the GH-producing somatotrope population. At aging, pituitary function wanes which is associated with organismal decay including the somatopause in which GH levels drop. In addition to these key time points of life, the pituitary's endocrine cell landscape plastically adapts during specific (patho-)physiological conditions such as lactation (need for PRL) and stress (engagement of ACTH). Particular resilience is witnessed after physical injury in the (murine) gland, culminating in regeneration of destroyed cell populations. In many other tissues, adaptive and regenerative processes involve the local stem cells. Over the last 15 years, evidence has accumulated that the pituitary gland houses a resident stem cell compartment. Recent studies propose their involvement in at least some of the cell remodeling processes that occur in the postnatal pituitary but support is still fragmentary and not unequivocal. Many questions remain unsolved such as whether the stem cells are key players in the vivid neonatal growth phase and whether the decline in pituitary function at old age is associated with decreased stem cell fitness. Furthermore, the underlying molecular mechanisms of pituitary plasticity, in particular the stem cell-linked ones, are still largely unknown. Pituitary research heavily relies on transgenic in vivo mouse models. While having proven their value, answers to pituitary stem cell-focused questions may more diligently come from a novel powerful in vitro research model, termed organoids, which grow from pituitary stem cells and recapitulate stem cell phenotype and activation status. In this review, we describe pituitary plasticity conditions and summarize what is known on the involvement and phenotype of pituitary stem cells during these pituitary remodeling events.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hugo Vankelecom
- Laboratory of Tissue Plasticity in Health and Disease, Cluster of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
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19
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Miles TK, Silva Moreira AR, Allensworth-James ML, Odle AK, Haney AC, MacNicol AM, MacNicol MC, Childs GV. Sex differences in somatotrope response to fasting: biphasic responses in male mice. J Endocrinol 2020; 247:213-224. [PMID: 33112825 PMCID: PMC7673470 DOI: 10.1530/joe-20-0275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Anterior pituitary somatotropes are important metabolic sensors responding to leptin by secreting growth hormone (GH). However, reduced leptin signals caused by fasting have not always correlated with reduced serum GH. Reports show that fasting may stimulate or reduce GH secretion, depending on the species. Mechanisms underlying these distinct somatotrope responses to fasting remain unknown. To define the somatotrope response to decreased leptin signaling we examined markers of somatotrope function over different time periods of fasting. Male mice were fasted for 24 and 48 h, with female mice fasted for 24 h compared to fed controls ad libitum. Body weight and serum glucose were reduced in both males and females, but, unexpectedly, serum leptin was reduced only in males. Furthermore, in males, serum GH levels showed a biphasic response with significant reductions at 24 h followed by a significant rise at 48 h, which coincided with the rise in serum ghrelin levels. In contrast, females showed an increase in serum GH at 24 h. We then explored mechanisms underlying the differential somatotrope responses seen in males and observed that pituitary levels of Gh mRNA increased, with no distinction between acute and prolonged fasting. By contrast, the Ghrhr mRNA (encoding GH releasing hormone receptor) and the Ghsr mRNA (encoding the ghrelin receptor) were both greatly increased at prolonged fasting times coincident with increased serum GH. These findings show sex differences in the somatotrope and adipocyte responses to fasting and support an adaptive role for somatotropes in males in response to multiple metabolic signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany K Miles
- Department of Neurobiology & Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Ana Rita Silva Moreira
- Department of Neurobiology & Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Melody L Allensworth-James
- Department of Neurobiology & Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Angela K Odle
- Department of Neurobiology & Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Anessa C Haney
- Department of Neurobiology & Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Angus M MacNicol
- Department of Neurobiology & Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Melanie C MacNicol
- Department of Neurobiology & Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Gwen V Childs
- Department of Neurobiology & Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
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20
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Ho Y, Hu P, Peel MT, Chen S, Camara PG, Epstein DJ, Wu H, Liebhaber SA. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis of adult mouse pituitary reveals sexual dimorphism and physiologic demand-induced cellular plasticity. Protein Cell 2020; 11:565-583. [PMID: 32193873 PMCID: PMC7381518 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-020-00705-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The anterior pituitary gland drives highly conserved physiologic processes in mammalian species. These hormonally controlled processes are central to somatic growth, pubertal transformation, fertility, lactation, and metabolism. Current cellular models of mammalian anteiror pituitary, largely built on candidate gene based immuno-histochemical and mRNA analyses, suggest that each of the seven hormones synthesized by the pituitary is produced by a specific and exclusive cell lineage. However, emerging evidence suggests more complex relationship between hormone specificity and cell plasticity. Here we have applied massively parallel single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), in conjunction with complementary imaging-based single-cell analyses of mRNAs and proteins, to systematically map both cell-type diversity and functional state heterogeneity in adult male and female mouse pituitaries at single-cell resolution and in the context of major physiologic demands. These quantitative single-cell analyses reveal sex-specific cell-type composition under normal pituitary homeostasis, identify an array of cells associated with complex complements of hormone-enrichment, and undercover non-hormone producing interstitial and supporting cell-types. Interestingly, we also identified a Pou1f1-expressing cell population that is characterized by a unique multi-hormone gene expression profile. In response to two well-defined physiologic stresses, dynamic shifts in cellular diversity and transcriptome profiles were observed for major hormone producing and the putative multi-hormone cells. These studies reveal unanticipated cellular complexity and plasticity in adult pituitary, and provide a rich resource for further validating and expanding our molecular understanding of pituitary gene expression programs and hormone production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yugong Ho
- Departments of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Peng Hu
- Departments of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Michael T Peel
- Departments of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Sixing Chen
- Departments of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Pablo G Camara
- Departments of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Penn Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Douglas J Epstein
- Departments of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Hao Wu
- Departments of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Stephen A Liebhaber
- Departments of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Departments of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
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21
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Gregory LC, Dattani MT. The Molecular Basis of Congenital Hypopituitarism and Related Disorders. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020; 105:5614788. [PMID: 31702014 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgz184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Congenital hypopituitarism (CH) is characterized by the presence of deficiencies in one or more of the 6 anterior pituitary (AP) hormones secreted from the 5 different specialized cell types of the AP. During human embryogenesis, hypothalamo-pituitary (HP) development is controlled by a complex spatio-temporal genetic cascade of transcription factors and signaling molecules within the hypothalamus and Rathke's pouch, the primordium of the AP. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION This mini-review discusses the genes and pathways involved in HP development and how mutations of these give rise to CH. This may present in the neonatal period or later on in childhood and may be associated with craniofacial midline structural abnormalities such as cleft lip/palate, visual impairment due to eye abnormalities such as optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH) and microphthalmia or anophthalmia, or midline forebrain neuroradiological defects including agenesis of the septum pellucidum or corpus callosum or the more severe holoprosencephaly. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Mutations give rise to an array of highly variable disorders ranging in severity. There are many known causative genes in HP developmental pathways that are routinely screened in CH patients; however, over the last 5 years this list has rapidly increased due to the identification of variants in new genes and pathways of interest by next-generation sequencing. CONCLUSION The majority of patients with these disorders do not have an identified molecular basis, often making management challenging. This mini-review aims to guide clinicians in making a genetic diagnosis based on patient phenotype, which in turn may impact on clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Cheryl Gregory
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mehul Tulsidas Dattani
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
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22
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Fontaine R, Ciani E, Haug TM, Hodne K, Ager-Wick E, Baker DM, Weltzien FA. Gonadotrope plasticity at cellular, population and structural levels: A comparison between fishes and mammals. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 287:113344. [PMID: 31794734 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.113344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 10/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Often referred to as "the master gland", the pituitary is a key organ controlling growth, maturation, and homeostasis in vertebrates. The anterior pituitary, which contains several hormone-producing cell types, is highly plastic and thereby able to adjust the production of the hormones governing these key physiological processes according to the changing needs over the life of the animal. Hypothalamic neuroendocrine control and feedback from peripheral tissues modulate pituitary cell activity, adjusting levels of hormone production and release according to different functional or environmental requirements. However, in some physiological processes (e.g. growth, puberty, or metamorphosis), changes in cell activity may be not sufficient to meet the needs and a general reorganization of cell composition and pituitary structure may occur. Focusing on gonadotropes, this review examines plasticity at the cellular level, which allows precise and rapid control of hormone production and secretion, as well as plasticity at the population and structural levels, which allows more substantial changes in hormone production. Further, we compare current knowledge of the anterior pituitary plasticity in fishes and mammals in order to assess what has been conserved or not throughout evolution, and highlight important remaining questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Fontaine
- Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 0454 Oslo, Norway
| | - Elia Ciani
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Trude Marie Haug
- Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Kjetil Hodne
- Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 0454 Oslo, Norway
| | - Eirill Ager-Wick
- Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 0454 Oslo, Norway
| | - Dianne M Baker
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Mary Washington, VA22401 Fredericksburg, VA, USA
| | - Finn-Arne Weltzien
- Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 0454 Oslo, Norway.
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23
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Cheung LYM, Camper SA. PROP1-Dependent Retinoic Acid Signaling Regulates Developmental Pituitary Morphogenesis and Hormone Expression. Endocrinology 2020; 161:bqaa002. [PMID: 31913463 PMCID: PMC7029777 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Dietary vitamin A is metabolized into bioactive retinoic acid (RA) in vivo and regulates the development of many embryonic tissues. RA signaling is active in the oral ectoderm-derived tissues of the neuroendocrine system, but its role there has not yet been fully explored. We show here that RA signaling is active during pituitary organogenesis and dependent on the pituitary transcription factor Prop1. Prop1-mutant mice show reduced expression of the aldehyde dehydrogenase gene Aldh1a2, which metabolizes the vitamin A-intermediate retinaldehyde into RA. To elucidate the specific function of RA signaling during neuroendocrine development, we studied a conditional deletion of Aldh1a2 and a dominant-negative mouse model of inhibited RA signaling during pituitary organogenesis. These models partially phenocopy Prop1-mutant mice by exhibiting embryonic pituitary dysmorphology and reduced hormone expression, especially thyrotropin. These findings establish the role of RA in embryonic pituitary stem cell progression to differentiated hormone cells and raise the question of gene-by-environment interactions as contributors to pituitary development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard Y M Cheung
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Sally A Camper
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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24
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Weis KE, Raetzman LT. Genistein inhibits proliferation and induces senescence in neonatal mouse pituitary gland explant cultures. Toxicology 2019; 427:152306. [PMID: 31593742 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2019.152306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Genistein is an isoflavone abundant in soybean and infants are exposed to high levels of genistein in soy-based formula. It is known that genistein mediates estrogen receptor (ER) signaling, and exposure during neonatal development could cause acute and long term endocrine effects. We assayed genistein's impact on the neonatal mouse pituitary gland because it is an endocrine signaling hub and is sensitive to endocrine disruption during critical periods. Pituitary explant cultures, which actively proliferate and differentiate, were exposed to 0.06 μM-36 μM genistein and assayed for mRNA and protein changes. Genistein induced mRNA expression of the ERα regulated gene, Cckar, to the same magnitude as estradiol (E2) but with less potency. Interestingly, 36 μM genistein strongly inhibited pituitary proliferation, measured by a reduction in mKi67 mRNA and phospho-Histone H3 immunostaining. Examining cell cycle dynamics, we found that 36 μM genistein decreased Ccnb1 (Cyclin B1) mRNA; while mRNA for the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor Cdkn1a (p21) was upregulated, correlated with an apparent increase in p21 immunostained cells. Strikingly, we observed a robust onset of cellular senescence, permanent cell cycle exit, in 36 μM genistein treated pituitaries by increased senescence activated β-galactosidase staining. We also found that 36 μM genistein decreased Bcl2 mRNA levels, a gene protective against apoptosis. Taken together these data suggest that genistein exposure during the neonatal period could initiate senescence and halt proliferation during a time when the proper numbers of endocrine cells are being established for mature gland function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen E Weis
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 524 Burrill Hall, 407 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, Illinois, 61801, USA
| | - Lori T Raetzman
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 524 Burrill Hall, 407 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, Illinois, 61801, USA.
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25
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Edwards W, Raetzman LT. Complex integration of intrinsic and peripheral signaling is required for pituitary gland development. Biol Reprod 2019; 99:504-513. [PMID: 29757344 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The coordination of pituitary development is complicated and requires input from multiple cellular processes. Recent research has provided insight into key molecular determinants that govern cell fate specification in the pituitary. Moreover, increasing research aimed to identify, characterize, and functionally describe the presumptive pituitary stem cell population has allowed for a better understanding of the processes that govern endocrine cell differentiation in the developing pituitary. The culmination of this research has led to the ability of investigators to recapitulate some of embryonic pituitary development in vitro, the first steps to developing novel regenerative therapies for pituitary diseases. In this current review, we cover the major players in pituitary stem/progenitor cell function and maintenance, and the key molecular determinants of endocrine cell specification. In addition, we discuss the contribution of peripheral hormonal regulation of pituitary gland development, an understudied area of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Whitney Edwards
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Lori T Raetzman
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
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26
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Abstract
Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) libraries are a valuable research resource. Any one of the clones in these libraries can carry hundreds of thousands of base pairs of genetic information. Often the entire coding sequence and significant upstream and downstream regions, including regulatory elements, can be found in a single BAC clone. BACs can be put to many uses, such as to study the function of human genes in knockout mice, to drive reporter gene expression in transgenic animals, and for gene discovery. In order to use BACs for experimental purposes it is often desirable to genetically modify them by introducing reporter elements or heterologous cDNA sequences. It is not feasible to use conventional DNA cloning approaches to modify BACs due to their size and complexity, thus a specialized field "recombineering" has developed to modify BAC clones through the use of homologous recombination in bacteria with short homology regions. Genetically engineered BACs can then be used in cell culture, mouse, or rat models to study cancer, neurology, and genetics.
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27
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Gergics P. Pituitary Transcription Factor Mutations Leading to Hypopituitarism. EXPERIENTIA SUPPLEMENTUM (2012) 2019; 111:263-298. [PMID: 31588536 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-25905-1_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Congenital pituitary hormone deficiency is a disabling condition. It is part of a spectrum of disorders including craniofacial midline developmental defects ranging from holoprosencephaly through septo-optic dysplasia to combined and isolated pituitary hormone deficiency. The first genes discovered in the human disease were based on mouse models of dwarfism due to mutations in transcription factor genes. High-throughput DNA sequencing technologies enabled clinicians and researchers to find novel genetic causes of hypopituitarism for the more than three quarters of patients without a known genetic diagnosis to date. Transcription factor (TF) genes are at the forefront of the functional analysis of novel variants of unknown significance due to the relative ease in in vitro testing in a research lab. Genetic testing in hypopituitarism is of high importance to the individual and their family to predict phenotype composition, disease progression and to avoid life-threatening complications such as secondary adrenal insufficiency.This chapter aims to highlight our current understanding about (1) the contribution of TF genes to pituitary development (2) the diversity of inheritance and phenotype features in combined and select isolated pituitary hormone deficiency and (3) provide an initial assessment on how to approach variants of unknown significance in human hypopituitarism. Our better understanding on how transcription factor gene variants lead to hypopituitarism is a meaningful step to plan advanced therapies to specific genetic changes in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Gergics
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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28
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Cheung LYM, George AS, McGee SR, Daly AZ, Brinkmeier ML, Ellsworth BS, Camper SA. Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals Novel Markers of Male Pituitary Stem Cells and Hormone-Producing Cell Types. Endocrinology 2018; 159:3910-3924. [PMID: 30335147 PMCID: PMC6240904 DOI: 10.1210/en.2018-00750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factors and signaling pathways that regulate stem cells and specialized hormone-producing cells in the pituitary gland have been the subject of intense study and have yielded a mechanistic understanding of pituitary organogenesis and disease. However, the regulation of stem cell proliferation and differentiation, the heterogeneity among specialized hormone-producing cells, and the role of nonendocrine cells in the gland remain important, unanswered questions. Recent advances in single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) technologies provide new avenues to address these questions. We performed scRNAseq on ∼13,663 cells pooled from six whole pituitary glands of 7-week-old C57BL/6 male mice. We identified pituitary endocrine and stem cells in silico, as well as other support cell types such as endothelia, connective tissue, and red and white blood cells. Differential gene expression analyses identify known and novel markers of pituitary endocrine and stem cell populations. We demonstrate the value of scRNAseq by in vivo validation of a novel gonadotrope-enriched marker, Foxp2. We present novel scRNAseq data of in vivo pituitary tissue, including data from agnostic clustering algorithms that suggest the presence of a somatotrope subpopulation enriched in sterol/cholesterol synthesis genes. Additionally, we show that incomplete transcriptome annotation can cause false negatives on some scRNAseq platforms that only generate 3' transcript end sequences, and we use in vivo data to recover reads of the pituitary transcription factor Prop1. Ultimately, scRNAseq technologies represent a significant opportunity to address long-standing questions regarding the development and function of the different populations of the pituitary gland throughout life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard Y M Cheung
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Akima S George
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Stacey R McGee
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois
| | - Alexandre Z Daly
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - Buffy S Ellsworth
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois
| | - Sally A Camper
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Correspondence: Sally A. Camper, PhD, Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, 5805 Medical Science Building II, 1241 East Catherine Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109. E-mail:
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29
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Ando M, Goto M, Hojo M, Kita A, Kitagawa M, Ohtsuka T, Kageyama R, Miyamoto S. The proneural bHLH genes Mash1, Math3 and NeuroD are required for pituitary development. J Mol Endocrinol 2018; 61:127-138. [PMID: 30307165 DOI: 10.1530/jme-18-0090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Multiple signaling molecules and transcription factors are required for pituitary development. Activator-type bHLH genes Mash1, Math, NeuroD (Neurod) and Neurogenin (Neurog) are well known as key molecules in neural development. Although analyses of targeted mouse mutants have demonstrated involvement of these bHLH genes in pituitary development, studies with single-mutant mice could not elucidate their exact functions, because they cooperatively function and compensate each other. The aim of this study was to elucidate the roles of Mash1, Math3 and NeuroD in pituitary development. Mash1;Math3;NeuroD triple-mutant mice were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Misexpression studies with retroviruses in pituisphere cultures were also performed. The triple-mutant adenohypophysis was morphologically normal, though the lumen of the neurohypophysis remained unclosed. However, in triple-mutant pituitaries, somatotropes, gonadotropes and corticotropes were severely decreased, whereas lactotropes were increased. Misexpression of Mash1 alone with retrovirus could not induce generation of hormonal cells, though Mash1 was involved in differentiation of pituitary progenitor cells. These data suggest that Mash1, Math3 and NeuroD cooperatively control the timing of pituitary progenitor cell differentiation and that they are also required for subtype specification of pituitary hormonal cells. Mash1 is necessary for corticotroph and gonadotroph differentiation, and compensated by Math3 and NeuroD. Math3 is necessary for somatotroph differentiation, and compensated by Mash1 and NeuroD. Neurog2 may compensate Mash1, Math3 and NeuroD during pituitary development. Furthermore, Mash1, Math3 and NeuroD are required for neurohypophysis development. Thus, Mash1, Math3 and NeuroD are required for pituitary development, and compensate each other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsushige Ando
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
- Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masanori Goto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
- Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masato Hojo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shiga Medical Center for Adults, Shiga, Japan
| | - Aya Kita
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
- Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masashi Kitagawa
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
- Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Ohtsuka
- Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ryoichiro Kageyama
- Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Susumu Miyamoto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
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30
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Allensworth-James ML, Odle A, Haney A, MacNicol M, MacNicol A, Childs G. Sex-specific changes in postnatal GH and PRL secretion in somatotrope LEPR-null mice. J Endocrinol 2018; 238:221-230. [PMID: 29929987 PMCID: PMC6354591 DOI: 10.1530/joe-18-0238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The developing pituitary is a rapidly changing environment that is constantly meeting the physiological demands of the growing organism. During early postnatal development, the anterior pituitary is refining patterns of anterior hormone secretion in response to numerous genetic factors. Our laboratory previously developed a somatotrope leptin receptor (LEPR) deletion mouse model that had decreased lean body mass, disrupted metabolism, decreased GH stores and was GH deficient as an adult. To understand how deletion of LEPR in somatotropes altered GH, we turned our attention to postnatal development. The current study examines GH, PRL, TSH, ACTH, LH and FSH secretion during postnatal days 4, 5, 8, 10 and 15 and compares age and sex differences. The LEPR mutants have dysregulation of GH (P < 0.03) and a reduced developmental prolactin peak in males (P < 0.04) and females (P < 0.002). There were no differences in weight between groups, and the postnatal leptin surge appeared to be normal. Percentages of immunolabeled GH cells were reduced in mutants compared with controls in all age groups by 35-61% in males and 41-44% in females. In addition, we measured pituitary expression of pituitary transcription factors, POU1F1 and PROP1. POU1F1 was reduced in mutant females at PND 10 (P < 0.009) and PND 15 (P < 0.02) but increased in males at PND 10 (P < 0.01). PROP1 was unchanged in female mutants but showed developmental increases at PND 5 (P < 0.02) and PND 15 (P < 0.01). These studies show that the dysfunction caused by LEPR deletion in somatotropes begins as early as neonatal development and involves developing GH and prolactin cells (somatolactotropes).
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody L Allensworth-James
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental SciencesCollege of Medicine University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Angela Odle
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental SciencesCollege of Medicine University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Anessa Haney
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental SciencesCollege of Medicine University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Melanie MacNicol
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental SciencesCollege of Medicine University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Angus MacNicol
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental SciencesCollege of Medicine University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Gwen Childs
- Department of Neurobiology and Developmental SciencesCollege of Medicine University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
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31
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Youngblood JL, Coleman TF, Davis SW. Regulation of Pituitary Progenitor Differentiation by β-Catenin. Endocrinology 2018; 159:3287-3305. [PMID: 30085028 DOI: 10.1210/en.2018-00563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The pituitary gland is a critical organ that is necessary for many physiological processes, including growth, reproduction, and stress response. The secretion of pituitary hormones from specific cell types regulates these essential processes. Pituitary hormone cell types arise from a common pool of pituitary progenitors, and mutations that disrupt the formation and differentiation of pituitary progenitors result in hypopituitarism. Canonical WNT signaling through CTNNB1 (β-catenin) is known to regulate the formation of the POU1F1 lineage of pituitary cell types. When β-catenin is deleted during the initial formation of the pituitary progenitors, Pou1f1 is not transcribed, which leads to the loss of the POU1F1 lineage. However, when β-catenin is deleted after lineage specification, there is no observable effect. Similarly, the generation of a β-catenin gain-of-function allele in early pituitary progenitors or stem cells results in the formation of craniopharyngiomas, whereas stimulating β-catenin in differentiated cell types has no effect. PROP1 is a pituitary-specific transcription factor, and the peak of PROP1 expression coincides with a critical time point in pituitary organogenesis-that is, after pituitary progenitor formation but before lineage specification. We used a Prop1-cre to conduct both loss- and gain-of-function studies on β-catenin during this critical time point. Our results demonstrate that pituitary progenitors remain sensitive to both loss and gain of β-catenin at this time point, and that either manipulation results in hypopituitarism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie L Youngblood
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
| | - Tanner F Coleman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
| | - Shannon W Davis
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
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32
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Caffarini M, Orciani M, Trementino L, Di Primio R, Arnaldi G. Pituitary adenomas, stem cells, and cancer stem cells: what's new? J Endocrinol Invest 2018; 41:745-753. [PMID: 29222642 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-017-0803-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To clarify the existence of pituitary stem cells (SCs) both in the embryonic and the postnatal gland and the role for SCs in pituitary adenomas. METHODS This work, which does not address the pathogenesis of pituitary adenomas, reviews the latest research findings and discoveries on SCs in pituitary and cancer SCs (CSCs) in pituitary adenomas and discusses the involvement of the EMT. RESULTS Several groups using different approaches and techniques have demonstrated the existence of SCs and CSCs and as they are major players in pituitary adenoma onset. CONCLUSIONS As in other benign and malignant tumors, the hypothesis that CSCs play a pivotal role in pituitary adenoma onset has been confirmed as well as the existence of a link between the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and CSC formation in epithelial tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Caffarini
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences-Histology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Tronto 10/A, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - M Orciani
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences-Histology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Tronto 10/A, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - L Trementino
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences-Endocrinology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Tronto 10/A, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - R Di Primio
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences-Histology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Tronto 10/A, 60126, Ancona, Italy.
| | - G Arnaldi
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences-Endocrinology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Tronto 10/A, 60126, Ancona, Italy
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33
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Ellsworth BS, Stallings CE. Molecular Mechanisms Governing Embryonic Differentiation of Pituitary Somatotropes. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2018; 29:510-523. [PMID: 29759686 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2018.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Pituitary somatotropes secrete growth hormone (GH), which is essential for normal growth and metabolism. Somatotrope defects result in GH deficiency (GHD), leading to short stature in childhood and increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in adulthood. Current hormone replacement therapies fail to recapitulate normal pulsatile GH secretion. Stem cell therapies could overcome this problem but are dependent on a thorough understanding of somatotrope differentiation. Although several transcription factors, signaling pathways, and hormones that regulate this process have been identified, the mechanisms of action are not well understood. The purpose of this review is to highlight the known players in somatotrope differentiation while emphasizing the need to better understand these pathways to serve patients with GHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Buffy S Ellsworth
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901-6523, USA.
| | - Caitlin E Stallings
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901-6523, USA
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Yoshida S, Fujiwara K, Nishihara H, Kato T, Yashiro T, Kato Y. Retinoic acid signalling is a candidate regulator of the expression of pituitary-specific transcription factor Prop1 in the developing rodent pituitary. J Neuroendocrinol 2018; 30:e12570. [PMID: 29356182 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Revised: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Development of the anterior pituitary proceeds via spatiotemporal patterning of transcription factors and signalling molecules. Among them, retinoic acid (RA) functions as an important signalling molecule for vertebrate organogenesis in many tissues. However, little is known regarding the target genes in the developing pituitary. The present study aimed to clarify the relationship between endogenous RA signalling and mRNA expression of the pituitary-specific transcription factor Prop1 in the pituitary primordium of Rathke's pouch. Gene expression analysis and in situ hybridisation demonstrated that retinaldehyde dehydrogenases (Raldhs) and all types of RA receptors (Rars) are expressed at the level of transcription in the rat Rathke's pouch. Ex vivo organ culture using Rathke's pouch and an in vitro reporter assay demonstrated that RA signalling increases the expression level of Prop1 via RARα. Moreover, a reporter assay using serial truncated constructs of the 5'-upstream region of mouse Prop1 revealed a predicted cis-regulatory element of RARα. This is the first report of a relationship between RA signalling and Prop1-expression during early pituitary development.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Yoshida
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
- Organization for the Strategic Coordination of Research and Intellectual Property, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
- Institute for Reproduction and Endocrinology, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - K Fujiwara
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
- Division of Histology and Cell Biology, Department of Anatomy, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan
| | - H Nishihara
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - T Kato
- Organization for the Strategic Coordination of Research and Intellectual Property, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
- Institute for Reproduction and Endocrinology, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - T Yashiro
- Division of Histology and Cell Biology, Department of Anatomy, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Y Kato
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
- Institute for Reproduction and Endocrinology, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
- Department of Life Science, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
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35
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Ueharu H, Yoshida S, Kanno N, Horiguchi K, Nishimura N, Kato T, Kato Y. SOX10-positive cells emerge in the rat pituitary gland during late embryogenesis and start to express S100β. Cell Tissue Res 2017; 372:77-90. [PMID: 29130118 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-017-2724-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
In the pituitary gland, S100β-positive cells localize in the neurohypophysis and adenohypophysis but the lineage of the two groups remains obscure. S100β is often observed in many neural crest-derived cell types. Therefore, in this study, we investigate the origin of pituitary S100β-positive cells by immunohistochemistry for SOX10, a potent neural crest cell marker, using S100β-green fluorescence protein-transgenic rats. On embryonic day 21.5, a SOX10-positive cell population, which was also positive for the stem/progenitor cell marker SOX2, emerged in the pituitary stalk and posterior lobe and subsequently expanded to create a rostral-caudal gradient on postnatal day 3 (P3). Thereafter, SOX10-positive cells appeared in the intermediate lobe by P15, localizing to the boundary facing the posterior lobe, the gap between the lobule structures and the marginal cell layer, a pituitary stem/progenitor cell niche. Subsequently, there was an increase in SOX10/S100β double-positive cells; some of these cells in the gap between the lobule structures showed extended cytoplasm containing F-actin, indicating a feature of migration activity. The proportion of SOX10-positive cells in the postnatal anterior lobe was lower than 0.025% but about half of them co-localized with the pituitary-specific progenitor cell marker PROP1. Collectively, the present study identified that one of the lineages of S100β-positive cells is a SOX10-positive one and that SOX10-positive cells express pituitary stem/progenitor cell marker genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Ueharu
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 214-8571, Japan
| | - Saishu Yoshida
- Institute of Reproduction and Endocrinology, Meiji University, Tokyo, Kanagawa, 214-8571, Japan
| | - Naoko Kanno
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 214-8571, Japan
| | - Kotaro Horiguchi
- Institute of Reproduction and Endocrinology, Meiji University, Tokyo, Kanagawa, 214-8571, Japan.,Laboratory of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kyorin University, Mitaka, Tokyo, 181-8612, Japan
| | - Naoto Nishimura
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 214-8571, Japan
| | - Takako Kato
- Institute of Reproduction and Endocrinology, Meiji University, Tokyo, Kanagawa, 214-8571, Japan
| | - Yukio Kato
- Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 214-8571, Japan. .,Institute of Reproduction and Endocrinology, Meiji University, Tokyo, Kanagawa, 214-8571, Japan. .,Department of Life Science, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, 1-1-1 Higashi-Mita, Tama-Ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 214-8571, Japan.
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36
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Osmundsen AM, Keisler JL, Taketo MM, Davis SW. Canonical WNT Signaling Regulates the Pituitary Organizer and Pituitary Gland Formation. Endocrinology 2017; 158:3339-3353. [PMID: 28938441 DOI: 10.1210/en.2017-00581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The pituitary organizer is a domain within the ventral diencephalon that expresses Bmp4, Fgf8, and Fgf10, which induce the formation of the pituitary precursor, Rathke's pouch, from the oral ectoderm. The WNT signaling pathway regulates this pituitary organizer such that loss of Wnt5a leads to an expansion of the pituitary organizer and an enlargement of Rathke's pouch. WNT signaling is classified into canonical signaling, which is mediated by β-CATENIN, and noncanonical signaling, which operates independently of β-CATENIN. WNT5A is typically classified as a noncanonical WNT; however, other WNT family members are expressed in the ventral diencephalon and nuclear localized β-CATENIN is observed in the ventral diencephalon. Therefore, we sought to determine whether canonical WNT signaling is necessary for regulation of pituitary organizer function. Using a conditional loss-of-function approach, we deleted β-catenin within the mouse ventral diencephalon. Mutant embryos have a smaller Rathke's pouch, resulting from a reduced pituitary organizer, especially Fgf8. This result suggests that canonical WNT signaling promotes pituitary organizer function, instead of inhibiting it. To test this hypothesis, we stimulated canonical WNT signaling in the ventral diencephalon using an inducible gain-of-function allele of β-catenin and found that stimulating canonical WNT signaling expands the domain of Fgf8 and results in a dysmorphic Rathke's pouch. These results demonstrate that canonical WNT signaling in the ventral diencephalon is necessary for proper expression of pituitary organizer genes and suggests that a balance of both canonical and noncanonical WNT signaling is necessary to ensure proper formation of Rathke's pouch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison M Osmundsen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208
| | - Jessica L Keisler
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208
| | - M Mark Taketo
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Shannon W Davis
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208
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37
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Cheung LYM, Davis SW, Brinkmeier ML, Camper SA, Pérez-Millán MI. Regulation of pituitary stem cells by epithelial to mesenchymal transition events and signaling pathways. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2017; 445:14-26. [PMID: 27650955 PMCID: PMC5590650 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Revised: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The anterior pituitary gland is comprised of specialized cell-types that produce and secrete polypeptide hormones in response to hypothalamic input and feedback from target organs. These specialized cells arise from stem cells that express SOX2 and the pituitary transcription factor PROP1, which is necessary to establish the stem cell pool and promote an epithelial to mesenchymal-like transition, releasing progenitors from the niche. The adult anterior pituitary responds to physiological challenge by mobilizing the SOX2-expressing progenitor pool and producing additional hormone-producing cells. Knowledge of the role of signaling pathways and extracellular matrix components in these processes may lead to improvements in the efficiency of differentiation of embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells into hormone producing cells in vitro. Advances in our basic understanding of pituitary stem cell regulation and differentiation may lead to improved diagnosis and treatment for patients with hypopituitarism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard Y M Cheung
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5618, USA.
| | - Shannon W Davis
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208-0001, USA.
| | - Michelle L Brinkmeier
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5618, USA.
| | - Sally A Camper
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5618, USA.
| | - María Inés Pérez-Millán
- Institute of Biomedical Investgations (UBA-CONICET), University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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38
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Peverelli E, Giardino E, Treppiedi D, Meregalli M, Belicchi M, Vaira V, Corbetta S, Verdelli C, Verrua E, Serban AL, Locatelli M, Carrabba G, Gaudenzi G, Malchiodi E, Cassinelli L, Lania AG, Ferrero S, Bosari S, Vitale G, Torrente Y, Spada A, Mantovani G. Dopamine receptor type 2 (DRD2) and somatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR2) agonists are effective in inhibiting proliferation of progenitor/stem-like cells isolated from nonfunctioning pituitary tumors. Int J Cancer 2017; 140:1870-1880. [PMID: 28120505 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The role of progenitor/stem cells in pituitary tumorigenesis, resistance to pharmacological treatments and tumor recurrence is still unclear. This study investigated the presence of progenitor/stem cells in non-functioning pituitary tumors (NFPTs) and tested the efficacy of dopamine receptor type 2 (DRD2) and somatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR2) agonists to inhibit in vitro proliferation. They found that 70% of 46 NFPTs formed spheres co-expressing stem cell markers, transcription factors (DAX1, SF1, ERG1) and gonadotropins. Analysis of tumor behavior showed that spheres formation was associated with tumor invasiveness (OR = 3,96; IC: 1.05-14.88, p = 0.036). The in vitro reduction of cell proliferation by DRD2 and SSTR2 agonists (31 ± 17% and 35 ± 13% inhibition, respectively, p < 0.01 vs. basal) occurring in about a half of NFPTs cells was conserved in the corresponding spheres. Accordingly, these drugs increased cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 and decreased cyclin D3 expression in spheres. In conclusion, they provided further evidence for the existence of cells with a progenitor/stem cells-like phenotype in the majority of NFPTs, particularly in those with invasive behavior, and demonstrated that the antiproliferative effects of dopaminergic and somatostatinergic drugs were maintained in progenitor/stem-like cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Peverelli
- Endocrine Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - E Giardino
- Endocrine Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - D Treppiedi
- Endocrine Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - M Meregalli
- Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Centro Dino Ferrari, Ystem Srl, Milan, Italy
| | - M Belicchi
- Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Centro Dino Ferrari, Ystem Srl, Milan, Italy
| | - V Vaira
- Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi" (INGM), Milan, Italy
| | - S Corbetta
- Endocrinology Service, Department of Biomedical Science for Health, University of Milan, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy
| | - C Verdelli
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy
| | - E Verrua
- Endocrine Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - A L Serban
- Endocrine Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - M Locatelli
- Neurosurgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan
| | - G Carrabba
- Neurosurgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan
| | - G Gaudenzi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - E Malchiodi
- Endocrine Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - L Cassinelli
- Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Centro Dino Ferrari, Ystem Srl, Milan, Italy
| | - A G Lania
- Endocrine Unit, IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy
| | - S Ferrero
- Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan Medical School
| | - S Bosari
- Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - G Vitale
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milano, Milan, Italy.,Endocrine and Metabolic Research Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano-IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Y Torrente
- Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Centro Dino Ferrari, Ystem Srl, Milan, Italy
| | - A Spada
- Endocrine Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - G Mantovani
- Endocrine Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Abstract
Growth hormone (GH) is a peptide hormone released from pituitary somatotrope cells that promotes growth, cell division and regeneration by acting directly through the GH receptor (GHR), or indirectly via hepatic insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) production. GH deficiency (GHD) can cause severe consequences, such as growth failure, changes in body composition and altered insulin sensitivity, depending of the origin, time of onset (childhood or adulthood) or duration of GHD. The highly variable clinical phenotypes of GHD can now be better understood through research on transgenic and naturally-occurring animal models, which are widely employed to investigate the origin, phenotype, and consequences of GHD, and particularly the underlying mechanisms of metabolic disorders associated to GHD. Here, we reviewed the most salient aspects of GH biology, from somatotrope development to GH actions, linked to certain GHD types, as well as the animal models employed to reproduce these GHD-associated alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel D Gahete
- Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain; Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Córdoba, Spain.
| | - Raul M Luque
- Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain; Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Córdoba, Spain.
| | - Justo P Castaño
- Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain; Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Córdoba, Spain.
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Mortensen AH, Camper SA. Cocaine-and Amphetamine Regulated Transcript (CART) Peptide Is Expressed in Precursor Cells and Somatotropes of the Mouse Pituitary Gland. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0160068. [PMID: 27685990 PMCID: PMC5042496 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cocaine-and Amphetamine Regulated Transcript (CART) peptide is expressed in the brain, endocrine and neuroendocrine systems and secreted into the serum. It is thought to play a role in regulation of hypothalamic pituitary functions. Here we report a spatial and temporal analysis of Cart expression in the pituitaries of adult and developing normal and mutant mice with hypopituitarism. We found that Prop1 is not necessary for initiation of Cart expression in the fetal pituitary at e14.5, but it is required indirectly for maintenance of Cart expression in the postnatal anterior pituitary gland. Pou1f1 deficiency has no effect on Cart expression before or after birth. There is no 1:1 correspondence between CART and any particular cell type. In neonates, CART is detected primarily in non-proliferating, POU1F1-positive cells. CART is also found in some cells that express TSH and GH suggesting a correspondence with committed progenitors of the POU1F1 lineage. In summary, we have characterized the normal temporal and cell specific expression of CART in mouse development and demonstrate that postnatal CART expression in the pituitary gland requires PROP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda H. Mortensen
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109–5618, United States of America
| | - Sally A. Camper
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109–5618, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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41
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Edwards W, Nantie LB, Raetzman LT. Identification of a novel progenitor cell marker, grainyhead-like 2 in the developing pituitary. Dev Dyn 2016; 245:1097-1106. [PMID: 27564454 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pituitary stem/progenitor cells give rise to all of the endocrine cell types within the pituitary gland and are necessary for both development and gland homeostasis. Recent studies have identified several key factors that characterize the progenitor cell population. However, little is known about the factors that regulate progenitor cell differentiation and maintenance. Therefore, it is crucial to identify novel factors that help elucidate mechanisms of progenitor cell function in the developing pituitary. Our studies are the first to characterize the expression of Grainyhead-like 2 (GRHL2), a transcription factor known to regulate progenitor cell plasticity, in the developing pituitary. RESULTS Our studies show GRHL2 expression is highest in the embryonic and early postnatal pituitary and is localized in pituitary progenitor cells. We demonstrate GRHL2 expression is changed in Notch2 cKO and Prop1df/df mice, mouse models that display progenitor cell number defects. In addition, our studies indicate a potential relationship between Notch signaling and GRHL2 expression in the developing pituitary. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our results indicate GRHL2 as a novel progenitor cell maker in the developing pituitary that may contribute to progenitor cell function and maintenance. Developmental Dynamics 245:1097-1106, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Whitney Edwards
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Leah B Nantie
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois.,Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Lori T Raetzman
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois.
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Stallings CE, Kapali J, Ellsworth BS. Mouse Models of Gonadotrope Development. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2016; 143:1-48. [PMID: 27697200 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2016.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The pituitary gonadotrope is central to reproductive function. Gonadotropes develop in a systematic process dependent on signaling factors secreted from surrounding tissues and those produced within the pituitary gland itself. These signaling pathways are important for stimulating specific transcription factors that ultimately regulate the expression of genes and define gonadotrope identity. Proper gonadotrope development and ultimately gonadotrope function are essential for normal sexual maturation and fertility. Understanding the mechanisms governing differentiation programs of gonadotropes is important to improve treatment and molecular diagnoses for patients with gonadotrope abnormalities. Much of what is known about gonadotrope development has been elucidated from mouse models in which important factors contributing to gonadotrope development and function have been deleted, ectopically expressed, or modified. This chapter will focus on many of these mouse models and their contribution to our current understanding of gonadotrope development.
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Affiliation(s)
- C E Stallings
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, United States
| | - J Kapali
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, United States
| | - B S Ellsworth
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, United States.
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Pérez Millán MI, Brinkmeier ML, Mortensen AH, Camper SA. PROP1 triggers epithelial-mesenchymal transition-like process in pituitary stem cells. eLife 2016; 5. [PMID: 27351100 PMCID: PMC4940164 DOI: 10.7554/elife.14470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2016] [Accepted: 06/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in PROP1 are the most common cause of hypopituitarism in humans; therefore, unraveling its mechanism of action is highly relevant from a therapeutic perspective. Our current understanding of the role of PROP1 in the pituitary gland is limited to the repression and activation of the pituitary transcription factor genes Hesx1 and Pou1f1, respectively. To elucidate the comprehensive PROP1-dependent gene regulatory network, we conducted genome-wide analysis of PROP1 DNA binding and effects on gene expression in mutant mice, mouse isolated stem cells and engineered mouse cell lines. We determined that PROP1 is essential for stimulating stem cells to undergo an epithelial to mesenchymal transition-like process necessary for cell migration and differentiation. Genomic profiling reveals that PROP1 binds to genes expressed in epithelial cells like Claudin 23, and to EMT inducer genes like Zeb2, Notch2 and Gli2. Zeb2 activation appears to be a key step in the EMT process. Our findings identify PROP1 as a central transcriptional component of pituitary stem cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Amanda H Mortensen
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States
| | - Sally A Camper
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States
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