Some hypothalamic hamartomas contain transforming growth factor alpha, a puberty-inducing growth factor, but not luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone neurons.
Activation of LH-releasing hormone (LHRH) secretion, essential for the initiation of puberty, is brought about by the interaction of neurotransmitters and astroglia-derived substances. One of these substances, transforming growth factor alpha (TGFalpha), has been implicated as a facilitatory component of the glia-to-neuron signaling process controlling the onset of female puberty in rodents and nonhuman primates. Hypothalamic hamartomas (HH) are tumors frequently associated with precocious puberty in humans. The detection of LHRH-containing neurons in some hamartomas has led to the concept that hamartomas advance puberty because they contain an ectopic LHRH pulse generator. Examination of two HH associated with female sexual precocity revealed that neither tumor had LHRH neurons, but both contained astroglial cells expressing TGFalpha and its receptor. Thus, some HH may induce precocious puberty, not by secreting LHRH, but via the production of trophic factors--such as TGFalpha--able to activate the normal LHRH neuronal network in the patient's hypothalamus.
Jung
H
H
Division of Neuroscience, Oregon Regional Primate Research Center/Oregon Health Sciences University, Beaverton 97006, USA.
Carmel
P
P
Schwartz
M S
MS
Witkin
J W
JW
Bentele
K H
KH
Westphal
M
M
Piatt
J H
JH
Costa
M E
ME
Cornea
A
A
Ma
Y J
YJ
Ojeda
S R
SR
D001253:Astrocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006222:Hamartoma / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007027:Hypothalamic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007223:Infant; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D011629:Puberty, Precocious / Q000209:etiology*; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000032:analysis*
D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone