Growth factors and pericellular components as a local signalling relay in the action of systemic hormones.
Recent years have shown that peptidic signals, originally identified as growth factors, may represent a local signalling system involved in the regulation of cell function under the dependence of systemic hormones. As an example, (i) adrenocortical cells are highly sensitive to transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) which is a powerful inhibitor of their differentiated functions; (ii) adrenocortical cells produce and secrete TGF beta, which is present in the adrenal cortex in situ; (iii) adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), which is the best known positive effector of adrenocortical functions induces an up-regulation of TGF beta receptors in adrenocortical cells. Altogether, these observations suggest that TGF beta may be a local signalling system acting in balance with the systemic hormone ACTH to eventually tune the ability of adrenocortical cells to produce corticosteroids.
CEA, INSERM Unit 244, Grenoble, France.
E M
EM
Chambaz
C
C
Cochet
S
S
Souchelnitskiy
G
G
Defaye
J J
JJ
Feige
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000502:physiology*; D006728:Hormones / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology
D006133:Growth Substances; D006728:Hormones; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone