Trophic and neurotrophic factors in human pituitary adenomas (Review).

Abstract

The pituitary gland is an organ that functionally connects the hypothalamus with the peripheral organs. The pituitary gland is an important regulator of body homeostasis during development, stress, and other processes. Pituitary adenomas are a group of tumors arising from the pituitary gland: they may be subdivided in functional or non-functional, depending on their hormonal activity. Some trophic and neurotrophic factors seem to play a key role in the development and maintenance of the pituitary function and in the regulation of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis activity. Several lines of evidence suggest that trophic and neurotrophic factors may be involved in pituitary function, thus suggesting a possible role of the trophic and neurotrophic factors in the normal development of pituitary gland and in the progression of pituitary adenomas. Additional studies might be necessary to better explain the biological role of these molecules in the development and progression of this type of tumor. In this review, in light of the available literature, data on the following neurotrophic factors are discussed: ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), transforming growth factors β (TGF‑β), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), vascular endothelial growth inhibitor (VEGI), fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) which influence the proliferation and growth of pituitary adenomas.

• Authors: Marialuisa Spoletini, Samanta Taurone, Mario Tombolini, Antonio Minni, Giancarlo Altissimi, Venceslao Wierzbicki, Felice Giangaspero, Pier Paolo Parnigotto, Marco Artico, Lia Bardella, Enzo Agostinelli, Francesco Saverio Pastore
• Journal: International journal of oncology (Int J Oncol) Vol. 51 Issue 4 Pg. 1014-1024 (Oct 2017) ISSN: 1791-2423 [Electronic] Greece
• PMID: 28902350 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor
• Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
• NGF protein, human
• Nerve Growth Factors
• TNFSF15 protein, human
• Transforming Growth Factor beta
• Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 15
• VEGFA protein, human
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
• Fibroblast Growth Factors
• Epidermal Growth Factor
• Nerve Growth Factor

Topics

• Adenoma (metabolism)
• Animals
• Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor (metabolism)
• Disease Progression
• Epidermal Growth Factor (metabolism)
• Fibroblast Growth Factors (metabolism)
• Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (metabolism)
• Humans
• Nerve Growth Factor (metabolism)
• Nerve Growth Factors (metabolism)
• Pituitary Gland (metabolism)
• Pituitary Neoplasms (metabolism)
• Transforming Growth Factor beta (metabolism)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 15 (metabolism)
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (metabolism)