Division of Molecular Neuroendocrinology, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, United Kingdom;
Front Neuroendocrinol. 2012 Aug;33(3):252-66. doi: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2012.08.002. Epub 2012 Sep 7.
Both endocrine and non-endocrine cells of the pituitary gland are organized into structural and functional networks which are formed during embryonic development but which may be modified throughout life. Structural mapping of the various endocrine cell types has highlighted the existence of distinct network motifs and relationships with the vasculature which may relate to temporal differences in their output. Functional characterization of the network activity of growth hormone and prolactin cells has revealed a role for cell organization in gene regulation, the plasticity of pituitary hormone output and remarkably the ability to memorize altered demand. As such, the description of these endocrine cell networks alters the concept of the pituitary from a gland which simply responds to external regulation to that of an oscillator which may memorize information and constantly adapt its coordinated networks' responses to the flow of hypothalamic inputs.
脑垂体的内分泌和非内分泌细胞都组织成结构和功能网络，这些网络在胚胎发育过程中形成，但在整个生命过程中可能会发生改变。对各种内分泌细胞类型的结构进行映射，突出了存在明显的网络模式和与脉管系统的关系，这可能与它们输出的时间差异有关。生长激素和催乳素细胞网络活动的功能特征揭示了细胞组织在基因调控、垂体激素输出的可塑性以及令人惊讶的记忆改变需求方面的作用。因此，这些内分泌细胞网络的描述改变了脑垂体的概念，从一个简单地对外界调节做出反应的腺体转变为一个可能记忆信息并不断适应其协调的网络对下丘脑输入流的反应的振荡器。
