Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 5203, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, 34000 Montpellier, France.
Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2012 Jun;23(6):261-9. doi: 10.1016/j.tem.2012.02.004. Epub 2012 Mar 20.
Recent advances in tridimensional (3D) tissue imaging have considerably enriched our view of the pituitary gland and its development. Whereas traditional histology of the pituitary anterior lobe portrayed this tissue as a patchwork of cells, 3D imaging revealed that cells of each lineage form extensive and structured homotypic networks. In the adult gland these networks contribute to the robustness and coordination of the cell response to secretagogs. In addition, the network organization adapts to changes in endocrine environment, as revealed by the sexually dimorphic growth hormone (GH) cell network. Further work is required to establish better the molecular basis for homotypic and heterotypic interactions in the pituitary as well as the implications of these interactions for pituitary function and dysfunction in humans.
近年来，三维（3D）组织成像技术的进步极大地丰富了我们对垂体及其发育的认识。传统的垂体前叶组织学将该组织描绘为细胞的拼凑物，而 3D 成像则揭示了每个谱系的细胞形成广泛而结构化的同源网络。在成年腺体中，这些网络有助于细胞对分泌素反应的稳健性和协调性。此外，正如性别二态性生长激素（GH）细胞网络所揭示的那样，网络组织会适应内分泌环境的变化。需要进一步的工作来更好地确定垂体中同源和异源相互作用的分子基础，以及这些相互作用对人类垂体功能和功能障碍的影响。
