1
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Lenders NF, Thompson TJ, Chui J, Low J, Inder WJ, Earls PE, McCormack AI. Pituitary tumours without distinct lineage differentiation express stem cell marker SOX2. Pituitary 2024; 27:248-258. [PMID: 38483762 PMCID: PMC11150322 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-024-01385-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT The recent WHO 2022 Classification of pituitary tumours identified a novel group of 'plurihormonal tumours without distinct lineage differentiation (WDLD)'. By definition, these express multiple combinations of lineage commitment transcription factors, in a monomorphous population of cells. OBJECTIVES To determine the expression of stem cell markers (SOX2, Nestin, CD133) within tumours WDLD, immature PIT-1 lineage and acidophil stem cell tumours, compared with committed cell lineage tumours. METHODS Retrospective evaluation of surgically resected pituitary tumours from St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney. Patients were selected to cover a range of tumour types, based on transcription factor and hormone immunohistochemistry. Clinical data was collected from patient files. Radiology reports were reviewed for size and invasion. Samples were analysed by immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR for SF-1, PIT-1, T-PIT, SOX2, Nestin and CD133. Stem cell markers were compared between tumours WDLD and those with classically "mature" types. RESULTS On immunohistochemistry, SOX2 was positive in a higher proportion of tumours WDLD compared with those meeting WHO lineage criteria, 7/10 v 10/42 (70 v 23.4%, p = 0.005). CD133 was positive in 2/10 tumours WDLD but 0/41 meeting lineage criteria, P = 0.003. On RT-qPCR, there was no significant difference in relative expression of stem cell markers (SOX2, CD133, Nestin) between tumours with and WDLD. CONCLUSIONS Our study is the first to biologically characterise pituitary tumours WDLD. We demonstrate that these tumours exhibit a higher expression of the stem cell marker SOX2 compared with other lineage-differentiated tumours, suggesting possible involvement of stem cells in their development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nèle F Lenders
- Department of Endocrinology, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Level 4, 384 Victoria St, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.
- St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Tanya J Thompson
- Department of Endocrinology, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Level 4, 384 Victoria St, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Jeanie Chui
- Department of Anatomical Pathology and Cytopathology, St Vincent's Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Julia Low
- St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Anatomical Pathology and Cytopathology, St Vincent's Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Warrick J Inder
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Peter E Earls
- Department of Anatomical Pathology and Cytopathology, St Vincent's Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ann I McCormack
- Department of Endocrinology, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Level 4, 384 Victoria St, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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2
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Ge X, Weis K, Raetzman L. Glycoprotein hormone subunit alpha 2 (GPHA2): A pituitary stem cell-expressed gene associated with NOTCH2 signaling. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2024; 586:112163. [PMID: 38246572 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2024.112163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
NOTCH2 is expressed in pituitary stem cells and is necessary for stem cell maintenance, proliferation, and differentiation. However, the pathways NOTCH2 engages to affect pituitary development remain unclear. In this study, we hypothesized that glycoprotein hormone subunit A2 (GPHA2), a corneal stem cell factor and ligand for the thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR), is downstream of NOTCH2 signaling. We found Gpha2 is expressed in quiescent pituitary stem cells by RNAscope in situ hybridization and scRNA seq. In Notch2 conditional knockout pituitaries, Gpha2 mRNA is reduced compared with control littermates. We then investigated the possible functions of GPHA2. Pituitaries treated with a GPHA2 peptide do not have a change in proliferation. However, in dissociated adult pituitary cells, GPHA2 increased pCREB expression and this induction was reversed by co-treatment with a TSHR inhibitor. These data suggest GPHA2 is a NOTCH2 related stem cell factor that activates TSHR signaling, potentially impacting pituitary development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiyu Ge
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 524 Burrill Hall, 407 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Karen Weis
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 524 Burrill Hall, 407 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Lori Raetzman
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 524 Burrill Hall, 407 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA; Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1206 W. Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
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3
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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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4
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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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5
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Øystese KA, Olarescu NC, Lindskog C, Xheka F, Berg-Johnsen J, Petter Berg J, Bollerslev J, Casar-Borota O. Stem cell-associated transcription factors in non-functioning pituitary neuroendocrine tumours. FREE NEUROPATHOLOGY 2024; 5:5-14. [PMID: 38845811 PMCID: PMC11155689 DOI: 10.17879/freeneuropathology-2024-5396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Background: Cells with stem cell features have been described in pituitary neuroendocrine tumours (PitNETs). Transcription factors SOX2 and SOX9 are stem cell-associated markers while the pituitary progenitor marker PROP1 is involved in anterior pituitary development. We characterised the presence of these markers known to be present in the human pituitary in non-functioning (NF) PitNETs. Methods: We investigated the pituitary transcription factors SOX2, SOX9 and PROP1 by immunohistochemistry (IHC) (N = 125) and RT-qPCR (N = 78) in a retrospective cohort of clinically NF-PitNETs. The markers were scored based on the percentage of immunolabeled cells. IHC staining scores were compared to reintervention rates for the whole cohort, and to expression of FSH, LH or ER in gonadotroph NF-PitNETs. Results: Most tumours showed no or few cells positive for SOX2, SOX9 and PROP1. More patients with SOX2-negative tumours went through reintervention (40 % vs 19 %, p = 0.03). SOX2, SOX9 and PROP1 staining correlated positively to each other (SOX2 and SOX9 rs = 0.666, SOX2 and PROP1 rs = 0.704, SOX9 and PROP1 rs = 0.570, and p < 0.001 for all). In gonadotroph NF-PitNETs, staining for SOX2 and PROP1 was positively associated to FSHβ staining (p < 0.001 for both). Staining for SOX2, SOX9 and PROP1 was positively associated with gene expression of Estrogen Receptor 1 (ESR1) (p < 0.001, p = 0.004 and p < 0.001) and IHC staining for ERα (p = 0.001, p = 0.03 and p = 0.05, respectively). Conclusion: SOX2, SOX9 and PROP1 were present at low levels in NF-PitNETs. Absence of SOX2 staining was associated with a higher reintervention rate. The stem cell markers correlated positively with markers of gonadotroph differentiation in gonadotroph NF-PitNETs. SOX2 and SOX9 were frequently coexpressed and showed positivity in intratumoural cells with epithelial features, however without coexpression of pituitary transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Astrid Øystese
- Department of Endocrinology, Morbid Obesity and Preventive Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nicoleta Cristina Olarescu
- Department of Endocrinology, Morbid Obesity and Preventive Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Cecilia Lindskog
- Cancer precision medicine, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fabjola Xheka
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jon Berg-Johnsen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Neurosurgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jens Petter Berg
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jens Bollerslev
- Department of Endocrinology, Morbid Obesity and Preventive Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Olivera Casar-Borota
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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6
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Scagliotti V, Vignola ML, Willis T, Howard M, Marinelli E, Gaston-Massuet C, Andoniadou C, Charalambous M. Imprinted Dlk1 dosage as a size determinant of the mammalian pituitary gland. eLife 2023; 12:e84092. [PMID: 37589451 PMCID: PMC10468206 DOI: 10.7554/elife.84092] [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: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Co-regulated genes of the Imprinted Gene Network are involved in the control of growth and body size, and imprinted gene dysfunction underlies human paediatric disorders involving the endocrine system. Imprinted genes are highly expressed in the pituitary gland, among them, Dlk1, a paternally expressed gene whose membrane-bound and secreted protein products can regulate proliferation and differentiation of multiple stem cell populations. Dosage of circulating DLK1 has been previously implicated in the control of growth through unknown molecular mechanisms. Here we generate a series of mouse genetic models to modify levels of Dlk1 expression in the pituitary gland and demonstrate that the dosage of DLK1 modulates the process of stem cell commitment with lifelong impact on pituitary gland size. We establish that stem cells are a critical source of DLK1, where embryonic disruption alters proliferation in the anterior pituitary, leading to long-lasting consequences on growth hormone secretion later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Scagliotti
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Maria Lillina Vignola
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Thea Willis
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King's College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Mark Howard
- MRC Centre for Transplantation, Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Eugenia Marinelli
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Carles Gaston-Massuet
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Cynthia Andoniadou
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King's College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Marika Charalambous
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
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7
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Laporte E, Vankelecom H. Organoid models of the pituitary gland in health and disease. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1233714. [PMID: 37614709 PMCID: PMC10442803 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1233714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The pituitary gland represents the hub of our endocrine system. Its cells produce specific hormones that direct multiple vital physiological processes such as body growth, fertility, and stress. The gland also contains a population of stem cells which are still enigmatic in phenotype and function. Appropriate research models are needed to advance our knowledge on pituitary (stem cell) biology. Over the last decade, 3D organoid models have been established, either derived from the pituitary stem cells or from pluripotent stem cells, covering both healthy and diseased conditions. Here, we summarize the state-of-the-art of pituitary-allied organoid models and discuss applications of these powerful in vitro research and translational tools to study pituitary development, biology, and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Laporte
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Laboratory of Tissue Plasticity in Health and Disease, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hugo Vankelecom
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Laboratory of Tissue Plasticity in Health and Disease, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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8
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Vamvoukaki R, Chrysoulaki M, Betsi G, Xekouki P. Pituitary Tumorigenesis-Implications for Management. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:medicina59040812. [PMID: 37109772 PMCID: PMC10145673 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59040812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs), the third most common intracranial tumor, are mostly benign. However, some of them may display a more aggressive behavior, invading into the surrounding structures. While they may rarely metastasize, they may resist different treatment modalities. Several major advances in molecular biology in the past few years led to the discovery of the possible mechanisms involved in pituitary tumorigenesis with a possible therapeutic implication. The mutations in the different proteins involved in the Gsa/protein kinase A/c AMP signaling pathway are well-known and are responsible for many PitNETS, such as somatotropinomas and, in the context of syndromes, as the McCune-Albright syndrome, Carney complex, familiar isolated pituitary adenoma (FIPA), and X-linked acrogigantism (XLAG). The other pathways involved are the MAPK/ERK, PI3K/Akt, Wnt, and the most recently studied HIPPO pathways. Moreover, the mutations in several other tumor suppressor genes, such as menin and CDKN1B, are responsible for the MEN1 and MEN4 syndromes and succinate dehydrogenase (SDHx) in the context of the 3PAs syndrome. Furthermore, the pituitary stem cells and miRNAs hold an essential role in pituitary tumorigenesis and may represent new molecular targets for their diagnosis and treatment. This review aims to summarize the different cell signaling pathways and genes involved in pituitary tumorigenesis in an attempt to clarify their implications for diagnosis and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodanthi Vamvoukaki
- Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic, University Hospital of Heraklion, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71500 Crete, Greece
| | - Maria Chrysoulaki
- Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic, University Hospital of Heraklion, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71500 Crete, Greece
| | - Grigoria Betsi
- Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic, University Hospital of Heraklion, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71500 Crete, Greece
| | - Paraskevi Xekouki
- Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic, University Hospital of Heraklion, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71500 Crete, Greece
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9
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Fletcher PA, Smiljanic K, Prévide RM, Constantin S, Sherman AS, Coon SL, Stojilkovic SS. The astroglial and stem cell functions of adult rat folliculostellate cells. Glia 2023; 71:205-228. [PMID: 36093576 PMCID: PMC9772113 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian pituitary gland is a complex organ consisting of hormone-producing cells, anterior lobe folliculostellate cells (FSCs), posterior lobe pituicytes, vascular pericytes and endothelial cells, and Sox2-expressing stem cells. We present single-cell RNA sequencing and immunohistofluorescence analyses of pituitary cells of adult female rats with a focus on the transcriptomic profiles of nonhormonal cell types. Samples obtained from whole pituitaries and separated anterior and posterior lobe cells contained all expected pituitary resident cell types and lobe-specific vascular cell subpopulations. FSCs and pituicytes expressed S100B, ALDOC, EAAT1, ALDH1A1, and VIM genes and proteins, as well as other astroglial marker genes, some common and some cell type-specific. We also found that the SOX2 gene and protein were expressed in ~15% of pituitary cells, including FSCs, pituicytes, and a fraction of hormone-producing cells, arguing against its stem cell specificity. FSCs comprised two Sox2-expressing subclusters; FS1 contained more cells but lower genetic diversity, while FS2 contained proliferative cells, shared genes with hormone-producing cells, and expressed genes consistent with stem cell niche formation, regulation of cell proliferation and stem cell pluripotency, including the Hippo and Wnt pathways. FS1 cells were randomly distributed in the anterior and intermediate lobes, while FS2 cells were localized exclusively in the marginal zone between the anterior and intermediate lobes. These data indicate the identity of the FSCs as anterior pituitary-specific astroglia, with FS1 cells representing differentiated cells equipped for classical FSC roles and FS2 cells exhibiting additional stem cell-like features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick A. Fletcher
- Laboratory of Biological Modeling, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Kosara Smiljanic
- Section on Cellular Signaling, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Rafael M. Prévide
- Section on Cellular Signaling, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Stephanie Constantin
- Section on Cellular Signaling, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Arthur S. Sherman
- Laboratory of Biological Modeling, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Steven L. Coon
- Molecular Genomics Core, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, 20892
| | - Stanko S. Stojilkovic
- Section on Cellular Signaling, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892
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10
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Lin YF, Schang G, Buddle ERS, Schultz H, Willis TL, Ruf-Zamojski F, Zamojski M, Mendelev N, Boehm U, Sealfon SC, Andoniadou CL, Bernard DJ. Steroidogenic Factor 1 Regulates Transcription of the Inhibin B Coreceptor in Pituitary Gonadotrope Cells. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6661776. [PMID: 35957608 PMCID: PMC9761571 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqac131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The inhibins control reproduction by suppressing follicle-stimulating hormone synthesis in pituitary gonadotrope cells. The newly discovered inhibin B coreceptor, TGFBR3L, is selectively and highly expressed in gonadotropes in both mice and humans. Here, we describe our initial characterization of mechanisms controlling cell-specific Tgfbr3l/TGFBR3L transcription. We identified two steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1 or NR5A1) cis-elements in the proximal Tgfbr3l promoter in mice. SF-1 induction of murine Tgfbr3l promoter-reporter activity was inhibited by mutations in one or both sites in heterologous cells. In homologous cells, mutation of these cis-elements or depletion of endogenous SF-1 similarly decreased reporter activity. We observed nearly identical results when using a human TGFBR3L promoter-reporter. The Tgfbr3l gene was tightly compacted and Tgfbr3l mRNA expression was essentially absent in gonadotropes of SF-1 (Nr5a1) conditional knockout mice. During murine embryonic development, Tgfbr3l precedes Nr5a1 expression, though the two transcripts are fully colocalized by embryonic day 18.5 and thereafter. Collectively, these data indicate that SF-1 directly regulates Tgfbr3l/TGFBR3L transcription and is required for postnatal expression of the gene in gonadotropes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeu-Farn Lin
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Gauthier Schang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Evan R S Buddle
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Hailey Schultz
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Thea L Willis
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King’s College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Frederique Ruf-Zamojski
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Michel Zamojski
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Natalia Mendelev
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ulrich Boehm
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Signaling, Saarland University School of Medicine, Homburg 66421, Germany
| | - Stuart C Sealfon
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Cynthia L Andoniadou
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King’s College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Daniel J Bernard
- Correspondence: Daniel J. Bernard, PhD, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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11
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Rai A, Yelamanchi SD, Radotra BD, Gupta SK, Mukherjee KK, Tripathi M, Chhabra R, Ahuja CK, Kumar N, Pandey A, Korbonits M, Dutta P, Gaston-Massuet C. Phosphorylation of β-catenin at Serine552 correlates with invasion and recurrence of non-functioning pituitary neuroendocrine tumours. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:138. [PMID: 36114575 PMCID: PMC9482208 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01441-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-functioning pituitary tumours (NF-PitNETs) are common intracranial benign neoplasms that can exhibit aggressive behaviour by invading neighbouring structures and, in some cases, have multiple recurrences. Despite resulting in severe co-morbidities, no predictive biomarkers of recurrence have been identified for NF-PitNETs. In this study we have used high-throughput mass spectrometry-based analysis to examine the phosphorylation pattern of different subsets of NF-PitNETs. Based on histopathological, radiological, surgical and clinical features, we have grouped NF-PitNETs into non-invasive, invasive, and recurrent disease groups. Tumour recurrence was determined based on regular clinical and radiological data of patients for a mean follow-up of 10 years (SD ± 5.4 years). Phosphoproteomic analyses identified a unique phosphopeptide enrichment pattern which correlates with disease recurrence. Candidate phosphorylated proteins were validated in a large cohort of NF-PitNET patients by western blot and immunohistochemistry. We identified a cluster of 22 phosphopeptides upregulated in recurrent NF-PitNETs compared to non-invasive and invasive subgroups. We reveal significant phosphorylation of the β-catenin at Ser552 in recurrent and invasive NF-PitNETs, compared to non-invasive/non-recurrent NF-PitNET subgroup. Moreover, β-catenin pSer552 correlates with the recurrence free survival among 200 patients with NF-PitNET. Together, our results suggest that the phosphorylation status of β-catenin at Ser552 could act as potential biomarker of tumour recurrence in NF-PitNETs.
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12
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Asuzu DT, Alvarez R, Fletcher PA, Mandal D, Johnson K, Wu W, Elkahloun A, Clavijo P, Allen C, Maric D, Ray-Chaudhury A, Rajan S, Abdullaev Z, Nwokoye D, Aldape K, Nieman LK, Stratakis C, Stojilkovic SS, Chittiboina P. Pituitary adenomas evade apoptosis via noxa deregulation in Cushing's disease. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111223. [PMID: 36001971 PMCID: PMC9527711 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sporadic pituitary adenomas occur in over 10% of the population. Hormone-secreting adenomas, including those causing Cushing’s disease (CD), cause severe morbidity and early mortality. Mechanistic studies of CD are hindered by a lack of in vitro models and control normal human pituitary glands. Here, we surgically annotate adenomas and adjacent normal glands in 25 of 34 patients. Using single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of 27594 cells, we identify CD adenoma transcriptomic signatures compared with adjacent normal cells, with validation by bulk RNA-seq, DNA methylation, qRT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry. CD adenoma cells include a subpopulation of proliferating, terminally differentiated corticotrophs. In CD adenomas, we find recurrent promoter hypomethylation and transcriptional upregulation of PMAIP1 (encoding pro-apoptotic BH3-only bcl-2 protein noxa) but paradoxical noxa downregulation. Using primary CD adenoma cell cultures and a corticotroph-enriched mouse cell line, we find that selective proteasomal inhibition with bortezomib stabilizes noxa and induces apoptosis, indicating its utility as an anti-tumor agent. Asuzu et al. perform single-cell transcriptomic profiling in Cushing’s disease (CD) adenomas and find overexpression and DNA hypomethylation of PMAIP1, which encodes the pro-apoptotic protein noxa. Noxa is degraded by the proteasome. Proteasomal inhibition rescues noxa and induces apoptosis in CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- David T Asuzu
- Neurosurgery Unit for Pituitary and Inheritable Diseases, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Room 3D20, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Reinier Alvarez
- Neurosurgery Unit for Pituitary and Inheritable Diseases, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Room 3D20, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Patrick A Fletcher
- Laboratory of Biological Modeling, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Debjani Mandal
- Neurosurgery Unit for Pituitary and Inheritable Diseases, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Room 3D20, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kory Johnson
- DIR Bioinformatics Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Weiwei Wu
- Cancer Genetics and Comparative Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Abdel Elkahloun
- Cancer Genetics and Comparative Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Paul Clavijo
- Translational Tumor Immunology Program, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Clint Allen
- Translational Tumor Immunology Program, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dragan Maric
- Flow and Imaging Cytometry Core Facility, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Abhik Ray-Chaudhury
- Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, USA; Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sharika Rajan
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Zied Abdullaev
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Diana Nwokoye
- Neurosurgery Unit for Pituitary and Inheritable Diseases, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Room 3D20, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kenneth Aldape
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lynnette K Nieman
- Section on Translational Endocrinology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Constantine Stratakis
- Section on Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Stanko S Stojilkovic
- Section on Cellular Signaling, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Prashant Chittiboina
- Neurosurgery Unit for Pituitary and Inheritable Diseases, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Room 3D20, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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13
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Le Tissier PR, Murray JF, Mollard P. A New Perspective on Regulation of Pituitary Plasticity: The Network of SOX2-Positive Cells May Coordinate Responses to Challenge. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6609891. [PMID: 35713880 PMCID: PMC9273012 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqac089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Plasticity of function is required for each of the anterior pituitary endocrine axes to support alterations in the demand for hormone with physiological status and in response to environmental challenge. This plasticity is mediated at the pituitary level by a change in functional cell mass resulting from a combination of alteration in the proportion of responding cells, the amount of hormone secreted from each cell, and the total number of cells within an endocrine cell population. The functional cell mass also depends on its organization into structural and functional networks. The mechanisms underlying alteration in gland output depend on the strength of the stimulus and are axis dependent but in all cases rely on sensing of output of the functional cell mass and its regulation. Here, we present evidence that the size of pituitary cell populations is constrained and suggest this is mediated by a form of quorum sensing. We propose that pituitary cell quorum sensing is mediated by interactions between the networks of endocrine cells and hormone-negative SOX2-positive (SOX2+ve) cells and speculate that the latter act as both a sentinel and actuator of cell number. Evidence for a role of the network of SOX2+ve cells in directly regulating secretion from multiple endocrine cell networks suggests that it also regulates other aspects of the endocrine cell functional mass. A decision-making role of SOX2+ve cells would allow precise coordination of pituitary axes, essential for their appropriate response to physiological status and challenge, as well as prioritization of axis modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R Le Tissier
- Correspondence: Paul R. Le Tissier, PhD, Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Bldg, 15 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK.
| | - Joanne F Murray
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Patrice Mollard
- Correspondence: Patrice Mollard, PhD, Institute of Functional Genomics, University of Montpellier, 141 rue de la Cardonille, F-34093, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France.
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14
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Evaluation of the Impact of Pregnancy-Associated Factors on the Quality of Wharton's Jelly-Derived Stem Cells Using SOX2 Gene Expression as a Marker. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147630. [PMID: 35886978 PMCID: PMC9317592 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
SOX2 is a recognized pluripotent transcription factor involved in stem cell homeostasis, self-renewal and reprogramming. It belongs to, one of the SRY-related HMG-box (SOX) family of transcription factors, taking part in the regulation of embryonic development and determination of cell fate. Among other functions, SOX2 promotes proliferation, survival, invasion, metastasis, cancer stemness, and drug resistance. SOX2 interacts with other transcription factors in multiple signaling pathways to control growth and survival. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of a parturient’s age, umbilical cord blood pH and length of pregnancy on the quality of stem cells derived from Wharton’s jelly (WJSC) by looking at birth weight and using SOX2 gene expression as a marker. Using qPCR the authors, evaluated the expression of SOX2 in WJSC acquired from the umbilical cords of 30 women right after the delivery. The results showed a significant correlation between the birth weight and the expression of SOX2 in WJSC in relation to maternal age, umbilical cord blood pH, and the length of pregnancy. The authors observed that the younger the woman and the lower the umbilical cord blood pH, the earlier the delivery occurs, the lower the birth weight and the higher SOX2 gene expression in WJSC. In research studies and clinical applications of regenerative medicine utilizing mesenchymal stem cells derived from Wharton’s Jelly of the umbilical cord, assessment of maternal and embryonic factors influencing the quality of cells is critical.
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15
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Laporte E, Vankelecom H. The human pituitary master gland stripped to single-cell resolution. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2022; 18:395-396. [PMID: 35596062 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-022-00696-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emma Laporte
- Laboratory of Tissue Plasticity in Health and Disease, Cluster of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hugo Vankelecom
- Laboratory of Tissue Plasticity in Health and Disease, Cluster of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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16
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Laporte E, Hermans F, De Vriendt S, Vennekens A, Lambrechts D, Nys C, Cox B, Vankelecom H. Decoding the activated stem cell phenotype of the neonatally maturing pituitary. eLife 2022; 11:75742. [PMID: 35699412 PMCID: PMC9333987 DOI: 10.7554/elife.75742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The pituitary represents the endocrine master regulator. In mouse, the gland undergoes active maturation immediately after birth. Here, we in detail portrayed the stem cell compartment of neonatal pituitary. Single-cell RNA-sequencing pictured an active gland, revealing proliferative stem as well as hormonal (progenitor) cell populations. The stem cell pool displayed a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype, characteristic of development-involved tissue stem cells. Organoid culturing recapitulated the stem cells’ phenotype, interestingly also reproducing their paracrine activity. The pituitary stem cell-activating interleukin-6 advanced organoid growth, although the neonatal stem cell compartment was not visibly affected in Il6−/− mice, likely due to cytokine family redundancy. Further transcriptomic analysis exposed a pronounced WNT pathway in the neonatal gland, shown to be involved in stem cell activation and to overlap with the (fetal) human pituitary transcriptome. Following local damage, the neonatal gland efficiently regenerates, despite absence of additional stem cell proliferation, or upregulated IL-6 or WNT expression, all in line with the already high stem cell activation status, thereby exposing striking differences with adult pituitary. Together, our study decodes the stem cell compartment of neonatal pituitary, exposing an activated state in the maturing gland. Understanding stem cell activation is key to potential pituitary regenerative prospects. The pituitary gland is a pea-sized structure found just below the brain that produces hormones controlling everything from growth and stress to reproduction and immunity. To perform its role, the pituitary gland needs specialised hormone-producing cells, but it also contains stem cells. These stem cells can divide to produce more cells like themselves, or differentiate into cells of different types, including hormone-producing cells. In mice, the stem cells of the pituitary gland appear to be activated in the first few weeks after birth, and later become ‘quiescent’ (or lazy) in the adult pituitary gland. However, it remains unclear how the activated state found in the maturing gland is established and regulated. To answer this question, Laporte et al. used single-cell RNA sequencing, a technique that allows researchers to profile which genes are active in individual cells, which can provide vital information about the state and activity of a tissue. The researchers compared the cells of the maturing pituitary gland of newborn mice to the cells in the established gland of adult mice. This analysis revealed that the maturing pituitary gland is a dynamic tissue, with populations of cells that are actively dividing (including the stem cells), which the mature pituitary gland lacks. Additionally, Laporte et al. established the molecular basis for the activated state of the stem cells in the maturing pituitary gland, which relies on the activation of a cell signalling pathway called WNT. To confirm these findings, Laporte et al. used an organoid system that allowed them to recapitulate the stem cell compartment of the maturing pituitary gland in a dish. When Laporte et al. blocked WNT signalling in these organoids, the organoids failed to form or divide. Furthermore, blocking the pathway directly in newborn mice reduced the number of dividing stem cells in the pituitary gland. Both findings support the notion that WNT signalling is required to establish the activated state of the maturing pituitary gland in newborn mice. Laporte et al. also wanted to know whether the newborn pituitary gland responded to injury differently than the adult gland. It had already been established that the adult pituitary stem cells become activated upon injury, and that the gland has some regenerative capacity. However, when Laporte et al. injured the newborn pituitary gland, the gland was able to fully regenerate, despite the stem cells not becoming more activated. This is likely because these cells are already activated (or ‘primed’), and do not require further activation to divide and repair the gland with the help of other proliferating cells. With these results, Laporte et al. shed light on the activated state of the stem cells in the pituitary gland of newborn mice. This provides insight into the role of these stem cells, as well as unveiling possible routes towards regenerating pituitary tissue. This could eventually prove useful in medicine, in cases when the pituitary gland is damaged or removed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Laporte
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Florian Hermans
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Silke De Vriendt
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | - Charlotte Nys
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Benoit Cox
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hugo Vankelecom
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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17
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Zhang Z, Zamojski M, Smith GR, Willis TL, Yianni V, Mendelev N, Pincas H, Seenarine N, Amper MAS, Vasoya M, Cheng WS, Zaslavsky E, Nair VD, Turgeon JL, Bernard DJ, Troyanskaya OG, Andoniadou CL, Sealfon SC, Ruf-Zamojski F. Single nucleus transcriptome and chromatin accessibility of postmortem human pituitaries reveal diverse stem cell regulatory mechanisms. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110467. [PMID: 35263594 PMCID: PMC8957708 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite their importance in tissue homeostasis and renewal, human pituitary stem cells (PSCs) are incompletely characterized. We describe a human single nucleus RNA-seq and ATAC-seq resource from pediatric, adult, and aged postmortem pituitaries (snpituitaryatlas.princeton.edu) and characterize cell-type-specific gene expression and chromatin accessibility programs for all major pituitary cell lineages. We identify uncommitted PSCs, committing progenitor cells, and sex differences. Pseudotime trajectory analysis indicates that early-life PSCs are distinct from the other age groups. Linear modeling of same-cell multiome data identifies regulatory domain accessibility sites and transcription factors that are significantly associated with gene expression in PSCs compared with other cell types and within PSCs. We identify distinct deterministic mechanisms that contribute to heterogeneous marker expression within PSCs. These findings characterize human stem cell lineages and reveal diverse mechanisms regulating key PSC genes and cell type identity. This study profiles the gene expression and chromatin accessibility landscapes in postmortem male and female pituitaries of different ages using single nucleus multiomics technologies. Zhang et al. characterize the pituitary stem cell population and develop computational methods, which allow us to elucidate regulatory mechanisms underlying pituitary stem cell identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zidong Zhang
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics and Graduate Program in Quantitative and Computational Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Michel Zamojski
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY, USA
| | - Gregory R Smith
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY, USA
| | - Thea L Willis
- Center for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Val Yianni
- Center for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Natalia Mendelev
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY, USA
| | - Hanna Pincas
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY, USA
| | - Nitish Seenarine
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY, USA
| | - Mary Anne S Amper
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY, USA
| | - Mital Vasoya
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY, USA
| | - Wan Sze Cheng
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY, USA
| | - Elena Zaslavsky
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY, USA
| | - Venugopalan D Nair
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY, USA
| | - Judith L Turgeon
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Daniel J Bernard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Olga G Troyanskaya
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics and Graduate Program in Quantitative and Computational Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA; Department of Computer Science, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA; Flatiron Institute, Simons Foundation, New York, NY, USA
| | - Cynthia L Andoniadou
- Center for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, UK; Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Stuart C Sealfon
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY, USA.
| | - Frederique Ruf-Zamojski
- Department of Neurology, Center for Advanced Research on Diagnostic Assays, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY, USA.
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18
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Laporte E, De Vriendt S, Hoekx J, Vankelecom H. Interleukin-6 is dispensable in pituitary normal development and homeostasis but needed for pituitary stem cell activation following local injury. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1092063. [PMID: 36619565 PMCID: PMC9815540 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1092063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, we discovered that the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) acts as a pituitary stem cell-activating factor, both when administered in vivo and when added to stem cell organoid cultures in vitro. Moreover, its expression, predominantly localized in the gland's stem and mesenchymal cells, promptly increases following damage in the adult pituitary, leading to stem-cell proliferative activation. Given these findings that IL-6 is involved in pituitary stem cell regulation, we addressed the question whether the cytokine has an impact on the pituitary phenotype during active phases of the gland's remodeling, in particular embryonic development and neonatal maturation, as well as during homeostasis at adulthood and aging, all unknown today. Using the IL-6 knock-out (KO) mouse model, we show that IL-6 is dispensable for pituitary embryonic and neonatal endocrine cell development, as well as for hormonal cell homeostasis in adult and aging glands. The findings match the absence of effects on the stem cell compartment at these stages. However, using this IL-6 KO model, we found that IL-6 is needed for the acute stem-cell proliferative activation reaction upon pituitary injury. Intriguingly, regeneration still occurs which may be due to compensatory behavior by other cytokines which are upregulated in the damaged IL-6 KO pituitary, although at lower but prolonged levels, which might lead to a delayed (and less forceful) stem cell response. Taken together, our study revealed that IL-6 is dispensable for normal pituitary development and homeostasis but plays a key role in the prompt stem cell activation upon local damage, although its presence is not essentially needed for the final regenerative realization.
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19
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Le Tissier PR, Mollard P. Renewing an old interest: Pituitary folliculostellate cells. J Neuroendocrinol 2021; 33:e13053. [PMID: 34734454 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Anterior pituitary folliculostellate (FS) cells, first described almost 50 years ago, have a wide range of functions with respect to supporting and coordinating endocrine cell function, in particular through paracrine and gap junction-mediated signalling. Our previous studies identified the morphological organisation of FS cells, which mediates coordinated calcium activity throughout the homotypic FS network and allows signalling across the whole pituitary gland. It is also clear that FS cells can modify endocrine output and feedback on pituitary axes over a range of timescales. Recently, several studies have defined FS cells as a source of anterior pituitary endocrine cell renewal, which has resulted in a renaming of FS cells as "Sox2+ve stem cells". Here, we highlight the broader potential of the FS cell population in fine-tuning and coordinating pituitary axes function. In addition, we identify a need for: the definition of the possible subtypes of FS cell and their relationship with the stem cell population; the potential role of FS cells in pulsatile hormone secretion and coordination of heterotypic cell networks; and the roles that FS cells may play in both early-life programming of pituitary axes and in memory, or anticipation, of demand. Further studies of FS cells may demonstrate the fundamental importance of this cell type and its potential as a therapeutic target to correct pituitary gland dysfunction, one of which is stem cell therapy. Clearly, a thorough understanding of all of these interactions and relationships of FS and endocrine cells is required whatever therapeutic use is suggested by their various roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R Le Tissier
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Patrice Mollard
- Institute of Functional Genomics, CNRS, INSERM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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20
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Gonzalez-Meljem JM, Martinez-Barbera JP. Adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma as a model to understand paracrine and senescence-induced tumourigenesis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:4521-4544. [PMID: 34019103 PMCID: PMC8195904 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03798-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Cellular senescence is a process that can prevent tumour development in a cell autonomous manner by imposing a stable cell cycle arrest after oncogene activation. Paradoxically, senescence can also promote tumour growth cell non-autonomously by creating a permissive tumour microenvironment that fuels tumour initiation, progression to malignancy and metastasis. In a pituitary tumour known as adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma (ACP), cells that carry oncogenic β-catenin mutations and overactivate the WNT signalling pathway form cell clusters that become senescent and activate a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Research in mouse models of ACP has provided insights into the function of the senescent cell clusters and revealed a critical role for SASP-mediated activities in paracrine tumour initiation. In this review, we first discuss this research on ACP and subsequently explore the theme of paracrine tumourigenesis in other tumour models available in the literature. Evidence is accumulating supporting the notion that paracrine signalling brought about by senescent cells may underlie tumourigenesis across different tumours and cancer models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juan Pedro Martinez-Barbera
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research and Teaching Programme, Birth Defects Research Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
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Scagliotti V, Esse R, Willis TL, Howard M, Carrus I, Lodge E, Andoniadou CL, Charalambous M. Dynamic Expression of Imprinted Genes in the Developing and Postnatal Pituitary Gland. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12040509. [PMID: 33808370 PMCID: PMC8066104 DOI: 10.3390/genes12040509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammals, imprinted genes regulate many critical endocrine processes such as growth, the onset of puberty and maternal reproductive behaviour. Human imprinting disorders (IDs) are caused by genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that alter the expression dosage of imprinted genes. Due to improvements in diagnosis, increasing numbers of patients with IDs are now identified and monitored across their lifetimes. Seminal work has revealed that IDs have a strong endocrine component, yet the contribution of imprinted gene products in the development and function of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis are not well defined. Postnatal endocrine processes are dependent upon the production of hormones from the pituitary gland. While the actions of a few imprinted genes in pituitary development and function have been described, to date there has been no attempt to link the expression of these genes as a class to the formation and function of this essential organ. This is important because IDs show considerable overlap, and imprinted genes are known to define a transcriptional network related to organ growth. This knowledge deficit is partly due to technical difficulties in obtaining useful transcriptomic data from the pituitary gland, namely, its small size during development and cellular complexity in maturity. Here we utilise high-sensitivity RNA sequencing at the embryonic stages, and single-cell RNA sequencing data to describe the imprinted transcriptome of the pituitary gland. In concert, we provide a comprehensive literature review of the current knowledge of the role of imprinted genes in pituitary hormonal pathways and how these relate to IDs. We present new data that implicate imprinted gene networks in the development of the gland and in the stem cell compartment. Furthermore, we suggest novel roles for individual imprinted genes in the aetiology of IDs. Finally, we describe the dynamic regulation of imprinted genes in the pituitary gland of the pregnant mother, with implications for the regulation of maternal metabolic adaptations to pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Scagliotti
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, London SE19RT, UK; (V.S.); (R.C.F.E.); (I.C.)
| | - Ruben Esse
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, London SE19RT, UK; (V.S.); (R.C.F.E.); (I.C.)
| | - Thea L. Willis
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King’s College London, London SE19RT, UK; (T.L.W.); (E.L.); (C.L.A.)
| | - Mark Howard
- MRC Centre for Transplantation, Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London SE19RT, UK;
| | - Isabella Carrus
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, London SE19RT, UK; (V.S.); (R.C.F.E.); (I.C.)
| | - Emily Lodge
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King’s College London, London SE19RT, UK; (T.L.W.); (E.L.); (C.L.A.)
| | - Cynthia L. Andoniadou
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King’s College London, London SE19RT, UK; (T.L.W.); (E.L.); (C.L.A.)
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Marika Charalambous
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, London SE19RT, UK; (V.S.); (R.C.F.E.); (I.C.)
- Correspondence:
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Russell JP, Lim X, Santambrogio A, Yianni V, Kemkem Y, Wang B, Fish M, Haston S, Grabek A, Hallang S, Lodge EJ, Patist AL, Schedl A, Mollard P, Nusse R, Andoniadou CL. Pituitary stem cells produce paracrine WNT signals to control the expansion of their descendant progenitor cells. eLife 2021; 10:59142. [PMID: 33399538 PMCID: PMC7803373 DOI: 10.7554/elife.59142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In response to physiological demand, the pituitary gland generates new hormone-secreting cells from committed progenitor cells throughout life. It remains unclear to what extent pituitary stem cells (PSCs), which uniquely express SOX2, contribute to pituitary growth and renewal. Moreover, neither the signals that drive proliferation nor their sources have been elucidated. We have used genetic approaches in the mouse, showing that the WNT pathway is essential for proliferation of all lineages in the gland. We reveal that SOX2+ stem cells are a key source of WNT ligands. By blocking secretion of WNTs from SOX2+ PSCs in vivo, we demonstrate that proliferation of neighbouring committed progenitor cells declines, demonstrating that progenitor multiplication depends on the paracrine WNT secretion from SOX2+ PSCs. Our results indicate that stem cells can hold additional roles in tissue expansion and homeostasis, acting as paracrine signalling centres to coordinate the proliferation of neighbouring cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P Russell
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Xinhong Lim
- Skin Research Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore.,Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Alice Santambrogio
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Val Yianni
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yasmine Kemkem
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Bruce Wang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States.,Department of Medicine and Liver Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
| | - Matthew Fish
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Scott Haston
- Developmental Biology and Cancer, Birth Defects Research Centre, UCL GOS Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Shirleen Hallang
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emily J Lodge
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda L Patist
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Patrice Mollard
- Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF), University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Roel Nusse
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, United States
| | - Cynthia L Andoniadou
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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