scholarly journals Prolactin (PRL)-Releasing Peptide Stimulates PRL Secretion from Human Fetal Pituitary Cultures and Growth Hormone Release from Cultured Pituitary Adenomas1

2001 ◽  
Vol 86 (6) ◽  
pp. 2826-2830 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tami Rubinek ◽  
Moshe Hadani ◽  
Gad Barkai ◽  
Shlomo Melmed ◽  
Ilan Shimon

The hypothalamic peptide PRL-releasing peptide (PrRP) has recently been cloned and identified as a ligand of an orphan pituitary receptor that stimulates in vitro PRL secretion. PrRP also induces PRL release in rats in vivo, especially in normal cycling females. However, no information on the effects of PrRP in the human is available. To elucidate the role of PrRP in regulating human anterior pituitary hormones, we used human PrRP-31 in primary cultures of human pituitary tissues, including fetal (20–27 weeks gestation) and normal adult pituitaries, as well as PRL- and GH-secreting adenomas. PrRP increased PRL secretion from human fetal pituitary cultures in a dose-dependent manner by up to 35% (maximal effect achieved with 10 nm), whereas TRH was slightly more potent for PRL release. Coincubation with estradiol resulted in enhanced fetal PRL response to PrRP, and GH release was only increased in the presence of estradiol. Although PRL secretion from PRL-cell adenomas was not affected by PrRP, PrRP induced PRL release from cultures of a GH-cell adenoma that cosecreted PRL. PrRP enhanced GH release in several GH-secreting adenomas studied by 25–27%, including GH stimulation in a mixed PRL-GH-cell tumor. These results show for the first time direct in vitro effects of PrRP-31 on human pituitary cells. PrRP is less potent than TRH in releasing PRL from human fetal lactotrophs and is unable to release PRL from PRL-cell adenomas in culture, but stimulated GH from several somatotroph adenomas. Thus, PrRP may participate in regulating GH, in addition to PRL, in the human pituitary.

1990 ◽  
Vol 127 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Muttukrishna ◽  
P. G. Knight

ABSTRACT Primary cultures of ovine pituitary cells (from adult ewes) were used to investigate the actions of steroid-free bovine follicular fluid (bFF) and highly-purified Mr 32 000 bovine inhibin on basal and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-induced release of FSH and LH. Residual cellular contents of each hormone were also determined allowing total gonadotrophin content/well to be calculated. As in rats, both crude and highly purified inhibin preparations promoted a dose (P < 0·001)- and time (P < 0·001)-dependent suppression of basal and GnRH-induced release of FSH as well as an inhibition of FSH synthesis, reflected by a fall in total FSH content/well. However, while neither inhibin preparation affected basal release of LH or total LH content/well, GnRH-induced LH release was significantly (P< 0·001) increased by the presence of either bFF (+ 75%) or highly-purified inhibin (+ 64%) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. This unexpected action of bFF on GnRH-induced LH release was abolished in the presence of 5 μl specific anti-inhibin serum, confirming that the response was indeed mediated by inhibin. Furthermore, neither oestradiol-17β (1 pmol/l–10 nmol/l) nor monomeric α-subunit of bovine inhibin (2·5–40 ng/ml) significantly affected basal or GnRH-induced release of LH. These in-vitro findings for the ewe lend support to a number of recent in-vivo observations and indicate that, in addition to its well-documented suppressive effect on the synthesis and secretion of FSH, inhibin may actually facilitate LH release in this species, in marked contrast to its action in the rat. Journal of Endocrinology (1990) 127, 149–159


1987 ◽  
Vol 112 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. N. Clayton ◽  
L. C. Bailey

ABSTRACT The effect of somatostatin on GH-releasing factor (GRF)-induced desensitization of somatotrophs was studied in vitro. Primary cultures of rat anterior pituitary cells pretreated for 4 or 18 h with GRF(1–40) (100 nmol/l) showed a 50% or greater reduction in maximal GH release when rechallenged with 10 nmol GRF/l. Rechallenge GRF dose–response curves were either very flat, making accurate measurement of the dose giving 50% maximum stimulation (ED50) impossible, or the ED50 concentration was increased from 0·3 nmol/l (untreated) to 2 nmol/l (GRF pretreated). Although GRF pretreatment reduced cellular GH content by 40–50%, correction for this did not restore GRF responsiveness measured in terms of maximal GRF-stimulated/unstimulated GH release (maximal/basal ratio), or the GRF ED50 concentration. Maximal/basal GH release per 4 h from GRF-pretreated cells was reduced when cells were rechallenged with forskolin (5 μmol/l) or calcium ionophore (A23187; 10 μmol/l), to the same extent as when rechallenged with 10 nmol GRF/l. Although this might be explained by a reduction in the pool of releasable GH, an alternative explanation is that pretreatment with GRF disrupts the GH release mechanism(s) at a common step(s) beyond cyclic AMP generation and Ca2+ influx. Co-incubation of cells with somatostatin and GRF (100 nmol/l) partially reversed the desensitizing action of GRF during both 4- and 18-h pretreatments in a dose-dependent manner, with 1 μmol somatostatin/l being most effective. Maximal GRF (100 nmol/l)-stimulated/basal GH release was 4·4 ± 1·0 (mean ± s.e.m., n = four experiments), 1·55 ± 0·09 and 2·43 ± 0·1 for control, GRF-pretreated (4 h) and GRF plus somatostatin-pretreated cells respectively. Comparable values for cells pretreated for 18 h were 3·66 ± 0·44 (n = three experiments), 1·78 ± 0·28 and 3·04 ± 0·04 for control, GRF- and GRF plus somatostatin-pretreated cells. Somatostatin reduced the 50% depletion of cellular GH caused by GRF pretreatment to 15–20%, as well as attenuating GH released during the pretreatment period by 40 ± 5% (mean ± s.e.m., n = seven experiments). Somatostatin restored somatotroph sensitivity of GRF-desensitized cells indicating that, in addition to reversing depletion of the releasable pool of GH, the counter-regulatory hormone also prevents disruption of post-receptor cellular biochemical events which remain to be identified. These results add to the list of GRF actions inhibited by somatostatin and suggest a potentially important role for somatostatin in vivo to maintain somatotroph responsiveness to GRF. J. Endocr. (1987) 112, 69–76


1989 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.Jimenez Reina ◽  
A. Leal-Cerro ◽  
J. Garcia ◽  
P.P. Garcia-Luna ◽  
R. Astorga ◽  
...  

Abstract. The direct effects of ketoconazole on the secretion of ACTH by human pituitary adenoma cells from 2 patients with Nelson's syndrome were studied in vitro. Stereologically quantified, intracellular changes affect the surface density of the endoplasmic reticulum (it decreased by 73%), the volume density of the secretion granules (it decreased by 49%), and the volume density of lysosomes (it decreased by 67%). The hormone released in the culture medium decreased depending on the doses of ketoconazole used; 10 μmol/l decreased ACTH levels by 31%. These data show that ketoconazole induce marked changes on corticotrope morphology and ACTH secretion in pituitary cells obtained from patients with Nelson's syndrome.


Endocrinology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 156 (2) ◽  
pp. 600-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arturo E. Gonzalez-Iglesias ◽  
Patrick A. Fletcher ◽  
José A. Arias-Cristancho ◽  
Ruth Cristancho-Gordo ◽  
Cleyde V. Helena ◽  
...  

The peptide oxytocin (OT) is secreted by hypothalamic neurons and exerts numerous actions related to reproduction. OT stimulation of prolactin secretion in female rats is important during the estrous cycle, pregnancy, and lactation. Here we report that OT also stimulates transients of intracellular Ca2+ concentration in somatotrophs and gonadotrophs as well as the release of GH and LH in a dose-dependent manner with EC50 values that closely correspond to the ligand affinity of the OT receptor (OTR). Remarkably, the hormone-releasing effect of OT in these two cell types is 2 orders of magnitude more sensitive than that in lactotrophs. The specific OTR agonist [Thr4,Gly7]-oxytocin acutely stimulated the release of LH, GH, and prolactin from female rat pituitary cells in primary culture and increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration in gonadotrophs, somatotrophs, and lactotrophs. In these three cell types, the effects on hormone release and intracellular Ca2+ of both OT and [Thr4,Gly7]oxytocin were abolished by the specific OT receptor antagonist desGly-NH2-d(CH2)5[D-Tyr2,Thr4]OVT but not by the highly selective vasopressin V1a receptor antagonist, d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2,Dab5]AVP. Furthermore, 10 nM arginine vasopressin stimulated LH and GH release comparably with a dose of OT that was at least 10 times lower. Finally, the presence of the OTR-like immunoreactivity could be observed in all three cell types. Taken together, these results show that OT directly stimulates gonadotrophs, somatotrophs, and lactotrophs through OT receptors and suggest that OT signaling may serve to coordinate the release of different pituitary hormones during specific physiological conditions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 369
Author(s):  
Yun-Soo Seo ◽  
Mary Jasmin Ang ◽  
Byeong Cheol Moon ◽  
Hyo Seon Kim ◽  
Goya Choi ◽  
...  

Trimethyltin (TMT) is an organotin compound with potent neurotoxic action characterized by neuronal degeneration in the hippocampus. This study evaluated the protective effects of a Scolopendra water extract (SWE) against TMT intoxication in hippocampal neurons, using both in vitro and in vivo model systems. Specifically, we examined the actions of SWE on TMT- (5 mM) induced cytotoxicity in primary cultures of mouse hippocampal neurons (7 days in vitro) and the effects of SWE on hippocampal degeneration in adult TMT- (2.6 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) treated C57BL/6 mice. We found that SWE pretreatment (0–100 μg/mL) significantly reduced TMT-induced cytotoxicity in cultured hippocampal neurons in a dose-dependent manner, as determined by lactate dehydrogenase and 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays. Additionally, this study showed that perioral administration of SWE (5 mg/kg), from −6 to 0 days before TMT injection, significantly attenuated hippocampal cell degeneration and seizures in adult mice. Furthermore, quantitative analysis of Iba-1 (Allograft inflammatory factor 1)- and GFAP (Glial fibrillary acidic protein)-immunostained cells revealed a significant reduction in the levels of Iba-1- and GFAP-positive cell bodies in the dentate gyrus (DG) of mice treated with SWE prior to TMT injection. These data indicated that SWE pretreatment significantly protected the hippocampus against the massive activation of microglia and astrocytes elicited by TMT. In addition, our data showed that the SWE-induced reduction of immune cell activation was linked to a significant reduction in cell death and a significant improvement in TMT-induced seizure behavior. Thus, we conclude that SWE ameliorated the detrimental effects of TMT toxicity on hippocampal neurons, both in vivo and in vitro. Altogether, our findings hint at a promising pharmacotherapeutic use of SWE in hippocampal degeneration and dysfunction.


2008 ◽  
Vol 21 (04) ◽  
pp. 337-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Hossain ◽  
J. Park ◽  
S. H. Choi ◽  
G. Kim

SummaryDexamethasone (Dexa) has been commonly used in humans and domestic animals, particularly in the treatment of tendon injuries and cartilage degeneration. However, it is often associated with tendon rupture and impaired tendon and cartilage healing. In the present study, we investigated Dexa’s in vitro effects on the growth of cell proliferation and the induction of apoptosis in canine Achilles tendon cells and chondrocytes. Cell proliferation after treatment with Dexa for two to six days was quantified by a 2,3-bis{2-methoxy- 4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl}-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxyanilide inner salt assay (XTT). The results showed that Dexa could inhibit the proliferation of tendon cells and chondrocytes at increasing concentrations (0.1–50 μg/ml) compared with untreated cells. Cell apoptosis was induced by Dexa, as evidenced by the typical nuclear apoptosis using Hoechst 33258 staining. Dexa increased the apoptosis of canine tendon cells and chondrocytes in a time-dependent manner. In canine tendon cells and chondrocytes that were treated with 25 and 50 μg/ml concentration of Dexa, the number of condensed apoptotic nuclei was significantly increased. In addition, culturing with Dexa and the glucocorticoid receptor blocker, mifepristone, significantly arrested apoptosis of tendon cells and chondrocytes. Based on our in vitro data, we hypothesized that in vivo treatment with glucocorticoids may diminish the proliferation of tendon and cartilage cells by increasing apoptosis and suppressing the proliferation. Our findings suggest that Dexa could be used with caution in dogs with articular or tendon problems.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 766-782 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Bordenave ◽  
Ly Tu ◽  
Nihel Berrebeh ◽  
Raphaël Thuillet ◽  
Amélie Cumont ◽  
...  

Objective: Excessive accumulation of resident cells within the pulmonary vascular wall represents the hallmark feature of the remodeling occurring in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Furthermore, we have previously demonstrated that pulmonary arterioles are excessively covered by pericytes in PAH, but this process is not fully understood. The aim of our study was to investigate the dynamic contribution of pericytes in PAH vascular remodeling. Approach and Results: In this study, we performed in situ, in vivo, and in vitro experiments. We isolated primary cultures of human pericytes from controls and PAH lung specimens then performed functional studies (cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation). In addition, to follow up pericyte number and fate, a genetic fate-mapping approach was used with an NG2CreER;mT/mG transgenic mice in a model of pulmonary arteriole muscularization occurring during chronic hypoxia. We identified phenotypic and functional abnormalities of PAH pericytes in vitro, as they overexpress CXCR (C-X-C motif chemokine receptor)-7 and TGF (transforming growth factor)-βRII and, thereby, display a higher capacity to migrate, proliferate, and differentiate into smooth muscle-like cells than controls. In an in vivo model of chronic hypoxia, we found an early increase in pericyte number in a CXCL (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand)-12-dependent manner whereas later, from day 7, activation of the canonical TGF-β signaling pathway induces pericytes to differentiate into smooth muscle-like cells. Conclusions: Our findings reveal a pivotal role of pulmonary pericytes in PAH and identify CXCR-7 and TGF-βRII as 2 intrinsic abnormalities in these resident progenitor vascular cells that foster the onset and maintenance of PAH structural changes in blood lung vessels.


2004 ◽  
pp. 235-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Yan ◽  
M Hernandez ◽  
R Xu ◽  
C Chen

OBJECTIVE: Growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone (GHRH) and GH-releasing peptides (GHRPs) stimulate the release of GH through their specific receptors on somatotropes. Combined GHRH and GHRP administration causes a synergistic GH release in vivo by an unknown mechanism. The current study focuses on the direct action of GHRH and GHRP on several molecular targets in somatotropes. DESIGN AND METHODS: To clarify the mechanism of action, ovine somatotropes were used to measure the expression of mRNAs encoding for GH, pituitary transcription factor-1 (Pit-1), GH-secretagogue receptor (GHS-R), GHRH-R, somatostatin receptor subtypes (sst-1 and sst-2) and GH release after GHRH and GHRP-2 treatment for 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 h. RESULTS: GHRH (10 nM), GHRP-2 (100 nM) and combined GHRH-GHRP-2 increased the levels of GH mRNA and GH release from 0.5 to 2 h in a time-dependent manner. The levels of Pit-1, GHRH-R and GHS-R mRNA were increased after 0.5 h treatment of cells with GHRH and GHRP-2. The levels of sst-1 but not sst-2 mRNA were significantly increased after 0.5 and 1 h of GHRH treatment. In contrast, both sst-1 and sst-2 mRNA expression was inhibited after 0.5-2 h of GHRP treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate a direct in vitro modification of ovine somatotropes by GHRH and GHRP-2 resulting in altered GHRH-R, GHS-R, Pit-1, sst-1, sst-2 and GH gene expression; this may underlie the regulatory action of GHRH and GHRP-2 on GH secretion.


1996 ◽  
Vol 134 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masaaki Yamaguchi ◽  
Akira Miyake

Yamaguchi M. Miyake A. Regulation of mouse placental lactogen secretion by factors secreted from the pituitary in vitro. Eur J Endocrinol 1996;134:123–7. ISSN 0804–4643 The effect of factors secreted from the pituitary on mouse placental lactogen I (mPL-I) and mPL-II secretion in vitro was examined. Co-culture of mouse placental cells from day 7 of pregnancy with the pituitary cells of the mother significantly stimulated mPL-I secretion but did not regulate mPL-II secretion. The effect on mPL-I secretion was dependent on the number of pituitary cells. The conditioned medium of pituitary cells also significantly stimulated mPL-I secretion but did not regulate mPL-II secretion. The stimulatory effect of mPL-I secretion was dependent on the volume of the conditioned medium. The number of cells containing mPL-I assessed by immunocytochemistry was increased by the co-culture in a cell number-dependent manner. Northern blot analysis for mPL-I indicated that treatment of placental cells with the pituitary-conditioned medium results in an increase of mPL-I gene expression. These findings suggest that factors secreted from the pituitary directly regulate mPL-I secretion, but not mPL-II secretion, before midpregnancy in vivo. Masaaki Yamaguchi, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Osaka University Medical School, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita. Osaka 565, Japan


2017 ◽  
Vol 102 (10) ◽  
pp. 3692-3703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shao Jian Lin ◽  
Ze Rui Wu ◽  
Lei Cao ◽  
Yong Zhang ◽  
Zhi Gen Leng ◽  
...  

Abstract Context The dopamine agonist cabergoline (CAB) has been used widely in the treatment of prolactinomas and other types of pituitary adenomas, but its clinical use is hampered by intolerance in some patients with prolactinoma and lack of effectiveness in other pituitary tumor types. Chloroquine (CQ) is an old drug widely used to treat malaria. Recent studies, including our own, have revealed that CAB and CQ are involved in induction of autophagy and activation of autophagic cell death. Objective To test whether CAB and CQ can function cooperatively to suppress growth of pituitary adenomas as well as other cancers. Results In vitro studies using the rat pituitary tumor cell lines MMQ and GH3, human pituitary tumor cell primary cultures, and several human cancer cell lines showed that CQ enhanced suppression of cell proliferation by CAB. These results were confirmed in in vivo xenograft models in nude mice and estrogen-induced rat prolactinomas. To understand the mechanism of combined CAB and CQ action, we established a low-CAB-dose condition in which CAB was able to induce autophagy but failed to suppress cell growth. Addition of CQ to low-dose CAB blocked normal autophagic cycles and induced apoptosis, evidenced by the further accumulation of p62/caspase-8/LC3-II. Conclusion The data suggest that combined use of CAB and CQ may increase clinical effectiveness in treatment of human pituitary adenomas, as well as other cancers, making it an attractive option in tumor and cancer therapies.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document