神経学的障害

Pituitary Stem/Progenitor Cells: Their Enigmatic Roles in Embryogenesis and Pituitary Neoplasia - A Review Article

Abstract

Aydin Sav

Although the hypothalamus is the master regulator, it is appropriate terming the pituitary gland as the conductor of endocrine orchestra of the human body. The existence of pituitary stem cells in the adult pituitary gland is supported by such findings as postnatal proliferation, differentiation based on environmental alterations, and development of hormoneproducing cells after specific lesions in the pituitary. Stem cell characteristics, including renewal, proliferation abilities, and the presence of stem cells markers, have been demonstrated in adult pituitary cells from mammals. Research into the capacity of “pituitary stem cells” to differentiate in vitro and in vivo will clarify the regulatory mechanisms of these cells. The characteristics of stem cells include self-renewal capacity, lack of specialization, and pluripotency with the ability to differentiate into different cell phenotypes. Adult pituitary cell lineages might have a pituitary stem cell role and the potential participation of these cells in pituitary tumorigenesis. Inevitably numerous questions remain to be resolved, and future challenges are enormous. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the motivating recent developments in the pituitary stem cell exploration. The latest expansion in pituitary stem cell research may commence a stimulating period in the pituitary embryology and pathology