ISSN:
1365-2826
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
The distribution of transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) in the rat and human hypothalamus and neurohypophysis was investigated by immunocytochemical techniques using rabbit polyclonal antisera against TGFβ1 and TGFβ3. Colocalization of TGFβ1 or TGFβ3 and arginine vasopressin (AVP) in the rat hypothalamus was studied by double immunolabelling in light microscopy, while their subcellular localization in the rat neurohypophysis was investigated by immunoelectron microscopy. TGFβ1 and TGFβ3 immunoreactivity was demonstrated in the cell bodies and processes of neurones in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN). The TGFβ-immunoreactive cells were more numerous in the SON compared to the PVN. TGFβ/AVP double-labelled cells were seen in both nuclei, but some neurones in the SON were labelled for TGFβ1 or TGFβ3, although not for AVP. In the rat and human neurohypophysis, TGFβ3 immunolabelling was more diffuse and stronger than TGFβ1 immunolabelling. TGFβ1 expression was seen in axonal vesicles and in neurosecretory granules of the axonal endings, while TGFβ3 was observed in axonal fibres. Colocalization of TGFβ3 or TGFβ1 and AVP was observed in some neurosecretory granules, but many were either single-labelled for TGFβ or AVP or unlabelled. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, the colocalization of TGFβ and neurohypophysial hormones in magnocellular neurones. We suggest that TGFβ secreted by the neurohypophysis regulates the proliferation and secretion of certain anterior pituitary cells.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2826.2004.01203.x
