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.

Long Non-Coding RNA Plasmacytoma Variant Translocation 1 (PVT1) Enhances Proliferation, Migration, and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) of Pituitary Adenoma Cells by Activating β-Catenin, c-Myc, and Cyclin D1 Expression

“…By investigating the invasion mechanism of tumors, it has been shown that tumor invasion is closely related to pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). However, these markers cannot accurately predict tumor prognosis in clinical applications [8,9]. In the process of exploring novel therapies, molecular targeted therapy has been used for the treatment of tumors [10][11][12].…”

Effect of lncRNA HULC knockdown on rat secreting pituitary adenoma GH3 cells

“…With the development of diagnostic and therapeutic methods, the 5-year survival rate of patients with secreting pituitary adenoma has increased in recent years (5,6). However, considering that the pathogenesis of this tumor is very complex (7,8), a clearer understanding of the process will be helpful for defining more effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.…”

The expression of neural cell adhesion molecule and the microenvironment of pituitary neuroendocrine tumours

“…It is biologically plausible that FGF-2 may downregulate the expression of NCAM in PitNETs, taking into account that FGFs are implicated in many processes of pituitary homeostasis and pituitary tumourigenesis. [49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56] Intracellular signalling by NCAM and its physiological effects are mediated by FGF-receptors, [57][58][59] with previous studies reporting that activation of NCAM-mediated FGF-receptor-1 downstream signalling factors is involved in neurite outgrowth and tumour progression. 60,61 Indeed, downregulation of several adhesion molecules has been reported in different human cancers, which is at least partly the result of high levels of growth factors such as FGF within the local TME.…”