The role of cell-to-cell interaction via humoral factors in the anterior pituitary gland

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26460281
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: General anatomy (including histology/embryology)
• Research Institution: Jichi Medical University
• Principal Investigator: FUJIWARA Ken 自治医科大学, 医学部, 准教授 (00382945)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): KOUKI Tomu 自治医科大学, 医学部, 客員研究員 (70350436)
• Research Collaborator: Rita Maliza
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 下垂体前葉 / 細胞間相互作用 / サイトカイン / 成長因子 / ホルモン / パラクライン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The anterior pituitary gland is composed of five types of hormone-producing cells and folliculostellate cells, which do not produce hormones. Folliculostellate cells encircle hormone-producing cells by cytoplasmic processes and control the functions of these cells via humoral factors. However, the folliculostellate cell-mediated cell-to-cell interactions are not fully understood. In this study, we found several bioactive substances including growth factors, cytokines, and vitamin, which were produced in folliculostellate cells. Furthermore, we showed that these molecules play important roles in the pituitary development, tissue formation, and hormone secretion. The data obtained from this project suggested that these molecules function as novel paracrine signaling molecules in the anterior pituitary gland.

Free Research Field

内分泌学