The role of the folliculostellate cells of the anterior pituitary in the regulation of hormone secretion.

垂体前叶滤泡细胞在激素分泌调节中的作用。

• 批准号: 194652-2012
• 负责人: Vitale, MaríaLeiza
• 金额: $ 1.82万
• 依托单位: Université de Montréal
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2012-01-01 至 2013-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=506333
• 关键词: role; folliculostellate; cells; anterior; pituitary

The anterior pituitary gland secretes hormones that control development, basal metabolism, the immune response and reproduction. Therefore, the regulation of hormone release by this gland is essential for survival. Our aim is to understand the control of anterior pituitary hormone secretion. In the present proposal we will investigate whether intercellular communication among folliculostellate cells in the anterior pituitary gland contributes to the regulation of the anterior pituitary endocrine function. Differently from the hormone producing-cells, the folliculostellate cells do not release hormones but, instead, they secrete substances that act within the anterior pituitary gland to control the release of anterior pituitary hormones. In addition, the folliculostellate cells communicate with other folliculostellate and endocrine cells within the anterior pituitary. Cell-to-cell communication mainly occurs via specialized structures known as gap junctions. Gap junctions are intercellular channels formed by a family of proteins known as connexins. Six connexin molecules associate to form a connexon or hemichannel, and the docking of two hemichannels from neighbouring cells forms a gap junction channel. Cell coupling is an effective mode of controlling and synchronizing hormone secretion. We will study whether gap junction-mediated cell-to-cell communication among the folliculostellate cells is affected by endogenous substances such as cytokines and growth factors known to modulate hormone secretion. The present study will provide a deeper understanding of the regulation of hormone secretion by the folliculostellate cells.

垂体前叶分泌激素控制发育、基础代谢、免疫反应和生殖。因此，该腺体对激素释放的调节对于生存至关重要。 我们的目的是了解垂体前叶激素分泌的控制。在本研究中，我们将探讨垂体前叶滤泡星状细胞间的细胞间通讯是否有助于调节垂体前叶内分泌功能。与激素产生细胞不同，滤泡星状细胞不释放激素，而是分泌在垂体前叶内起作用的物质，以控制垂体前叶激素的释放。此外，滤泡星状细胞与垂体前叶内的其他滤泡星状细胞和内分泌细胞沟通。 细胞与细胞之间的通讯主要通过称为间隙连接的特殊结构进行。 缝隙连接是由称为连接蛋白的蛋白质家族形成的细胞间通道。 六个连接蛋白分子缔合以形成连接子或半通道，并且来自相邻细胞的两个半通道的对接形成间隙连接通道。 细胞偶联是控制和同步激素分泌的有效模式。我们将研究滤泡星状细胞之间的间隙连接介导的细胞间通讯是否受到内源性物质的影响，如已知调节激素分泌的细胞因子和生长因子。 本研究将为进一步了解卵泡星状细胞对激素分泌的调节提供理论依据。