Open Access

Lactotrophs: The new and major source for VEGF secretion and the influence of ECM on rat pituitary function in vitro

  • Authors:
    • Joachim Alfer
    • Joseph Neulen
    • Andreas Gaumann
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  • Published online on: March 13, 2015     https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2015.3851
  • Pages: 2129-2134
  • Copyright: © Alfer et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License [CC BY_NC 3.0].

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Abstract

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a pivotal role in pituitary endocrine function by influencing fenestration and blood vessel growth. Folliculostellate (FS) cells, which represent only a small number of pituitary cells, are recognized to produce VEGF. Tissue sections and primary pituitary cell cultures from rat pituitary glands were performed to co-localize VEGF and pituitary lactotrophs, which represents nearly 50% of all pituitary cells, by immunofluorescence. VEGF is co-localized with prolactin-producing cells in vivo and in vitro. FS cells are present infrequently in vivo (1.6%) and in vitro (2.4%). Culture supernatants were analyzed for the presence of VEGF by ELISA. VEGF levels are always significantly lower in supernatants from the cells that are seeded on Matrigel extracellular matrix (ECM) compared to the cells grown on plastic. Lower VEGF concentrations in supernatants from the pituitary cells cultured on ECM may reflect a more adequate cell environment compared to culture on plastic. These results demonstrate for the first time, that VEGF is expressed by lactotrophs, which outnumber FS cells. These results are of potential clinical relevance especially in oncology for the interpretation of studies investigating anti‑angiogenic treatment of pituitary tumors.
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May-2015
Volume 33 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1021-335X
Online ISSN:1791-2431

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Spandidos Publications style
Alfer J, Neulen J and Gaumann A: Lactotrophs: The new and major source for VEGF secretion and the influence of ECM on rat pituitary function in vitro. Oncol Rep 33: 2129-2134, 2015
APA
Alfer, J., Neulen, J., & Gaumann, A. (2015). Lactotrophs: The new and major source for VEGF secretion and the influence of ECM on rat pituitary function in vitro. Oncology Reports, 33, 2129-2134. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2015.3851
MLA
Alfer, J., Neulen, J., Gaumann, A."Lactotrophs: The new and major source for VEGF secretion and the influence of ECM on rat pituitary function in vitro". Oncology Reports 33.5 (2015): 2129-2134.
Chicago
Alfer, J., Neulen, J., Gaumann, A."Lactotrophs: The new and major source for VEGF secretion and the influence of ECM on rat pituitary function in vitro". Oncology Reports 33, no. 5 (2015): 2129-2134. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2015.3851