IMMUNO-HISTOCHEMISTRY OF S-100 AND CONNEXIN 43 OF THE RAT ANTERIOR PITUTARY GLAND

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Since Farquhar (1) reported the presence of agranulated cells in the anterior pituitary gland, the functions of the folliculo-stellate cell remain to be clarified. Intercellular junctions have been described in the monkey, rat and teleost anterior pituitary glands, indicating the existence of cell-to-cell communication within the organ. We pointed to their possible role in the rapid dissemination of information through a complex interconnecting system of follicles involving gap junctions. The gap junctional/folliculo-stellate cellular network was essential in the maturation and regulation of the "pituitary gland system" such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. It has been shown that a network participated in the conduction of electrophysiological information over a long distant using the ion Ca^<2+>. Sixty day-old male rats were used in this study for light microscopic immunohistochemistry of S-100 protein and connexin 43, and for electron microscopy. Clusters of anti-S-100 protein-positive cells were clearly observed in a region of the hypophysis tentatively named the transition zone. Anti-S-100 protein positive cells and their cytoplasmic processes were also present in the anterior lobe and assembled together to form follicular lumina. Numerous microvilli were present within the follicular lumen while around the lumina, junctional specializations including gap junctions were positive for the connexin 43 protein. A non-uniform distribution of the connexin 43 positive sites were observed. Small or dot-shaped positive sites were noted where two clusters of cells were connected; the cells were identified as S-100 cells. Double immunohistochemical staining of the connexin 43 and luteinizing hormone (LH) was also performed, demonstrating no relationship between the connexin 43 and either the LH cells. In conclusion, it is strongly suggested that for large amounts of LH to be released such as during the LH surge, two kinds of "messages" are necessary. One is via the portal vein system and the other is through the network of folliculo-stellate cells. The folliculo-stellate cells are separated into two kinds with state of connection of the gap junction. The all gonadotrophs directly associated with folliculo-stellate cells. The gonadotrophs who can get the "massages" via a two way, that is, via a portal vein system and "FS-net system". The gonadotrophs who get the two "massages" are able to discharge LH.
名古屋市立大学の論文
2003-06-28

IMMUNO-HISTOCHEMISTRY OF S-100 AND CONNEXIN 43 OF THE RAT ANTERIOR PITUTARY GLAND

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