Expression of cathepsin B and cystatin C in the human adenohypophysis and in pituitary adenomas.
The localization of cathepsin B, a potential promoter of prolactin (PRL) release via extra renal renin-angiotensin system in the adenohypophysis, and its inhibitor cystatin C in the human adenohypophysis and in pituitary adenomas were examined using single and dual immunohistochemical staining. In the adenohypophysis, cathepsin B was expressed in about 50% of the ACTH-producing cells, and in 5% or less of the GH- and PRL-producing cells. In contrast, cystatin C was expressed in about 70% of the GH- and PRL-producing cells, but in only 5% or less of the ACTH-producing cells. PRL-producing adenomas strongly expressed cathepsin B, but only weakly expressed cystatin C, a pattern of staining contrary to the expression in normal PRL-producing cells. The above results suggest that cathepsin B may play a role in promoting PRL release especially in PRL-producing adenomas.
Yoshimura
K
K
Department of Neurosurgery, Kansai Medical University, Moriguchi, Osaka 570, Japan.
Tsuchida
T
T
Kawamoto
K
K
D000236:Adenoma / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D002401:Cathepsin B / Q000032:analysis*; D055316:Cystatin C; D015891:Cystatins / Q000032:analysis*; D015853:Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000737:chemistry*; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism
C525030:CST3 protein, human; D055316:Cystatin C; D015891:Cystatins; D015853:Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011388:Prolactin; D002401:Cathepsin B