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Gonadotrophin secretion in vitro by cells of a pituitary tumour from a patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type I
Author(s) -
Daniels M.,
Newland P.,
Dewar J. H.,
White M. C.,
KendallTaylor P.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
clinical endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1365-2265
pISSN - 0300-0664
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2265.1992.tb02248.x
Subject(s) - endocrinology , medicine , hormone , pituitary gland , pituitary adenoma , endocrine system , adenoma , immunocytochemistry , pituitary tumors , stimulation , anterior pituitary , biology , endocrine gland , in vitro , biochemistry
OBJECTIVE The aim was to Investigate the hormone secretory products of a pituitary tumour from a patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type I (MEN I) utilizing cell culture and Immunoassay techniques. DESIGN Adenoma tissue was enzymically dispersed and established In cell culture. Medium was collected for hormone measurement after 2 days, and also after 24‐hour periods during long‐term culture. In addition, tissue fixed at surgery was analysed by Immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy. PATIENT The subject was a 59‐year‐old male with a clinical history characteristic of familial MEN I syndrome. MEASUREMENTS Pituitary hormones in serum and culture medium were measured by fully characterized radiolmmunoassays. RESULTS Preoperative serum LH and FSH levels were normal, or slightly elevated, and there was a progressively blunted gonadotrophin response to GnRH throughout the 8 years prior to adenomectomy. TRH Induced a small, paradoxical Increase In serum gonadotrophin levels 2 weeks preoperatively. Post‐operative pituitary hormone responses to standard stimulation tests showed an active normal pituitary. In vitro , the pituitary tumour cells secreted only gonadotrophins and glycoprotein hormone α‐subunit. The fixed tumour tissue immunostained for α‐subunit alone, and electron microscopy confirmed the presence of secretory granules with diameters of 100–280 nm. Gonadotrophin secretion continued throughout 77 days in long‐term culture, but whilst LH was released at a steady rate, that of FSH transiently increased between days 29 and 48 in vitro . CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that a pitultary tumour associated with the MEN I syndrome secreted gonadotrophins in vitro .