Volume 480 Issue 7375, 1 December 2011
A three-dimensional cell culture system has been developed that produces functioning pituitary tissue from mouse embryonic stem cells. The cells differentiate into layered structures, the development of which depends on close juxtaposition of two tissue types in formations that resemble local tissue reactions seen in vivo. Endocrine cells including corticotrophs and somatotrophs are produced. The corticotrophs efficiently secreted adrenocorticotropic hormone in response to corticotrophin releasing hormone, and transplantation of the pituitary tissues into a hypopituitary mouse model rescued a lethal deficiency in adrenocorticotropin. This work opens the possibility of developing regenerative therapies for pituitary defects, a major category of endocrinological disorders that includes empty sella syndrome, Sheehan syndrome and pituitary apoplexy. The cover image shows the developing mouse anterior pituitary expressing Pitx1 (red) at embryonic day 13, in contact with the neurohypophysis extending from the Rx+ hypothalamus (green).
Editorial
-
Advertisement
