Infundibular tanycytes as modulators of neuroendocrine function: hypothetical role in the regulation of the thyroid and gonadal axis.
Tanycytes comprise a heterogeneous population of specialized cells of glial origin that line the floor and ventrolateral walls of the third ventricle between the rostral and caudal limits of the hypothalamic median eminence. While morphologic and ultrastructural features suggest a role as barrier cells, creating separate compartments between the cerebrospinal fluid, median eminence and hypothalamus, tanycytes likely have multiple other important functions that have yet to be fully elucidated. Possibilities to consider are a role in neuroendocrine regulation including modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis during fasting and infection, regulation of reproductive function, particularly in seasonal breeders, and in feeding.
Lechan
Ronald M
RM
Tupper Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA. rlechan@tufts-nemc.org
Fekete
Csaba
C
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000502:physiology; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier; D048749:Cytokinesis; D004805:Ependyma / Q000166:cytology*; D005215:Fasting / Q000502:physiology; D006066:Gonads / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000502:physiology*; D007239:Infections / Q000503:physiopathology; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase / Q000502:physiology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology*; D010507:Periodicity; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000502:physiology*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology; D020542:Third Ventricle / Q000166:cytology*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000502:physiology*; D000097564:Iodothyronine Deiodinase Type II
D007453:Iodide Peroxidase; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D000097564:Iodothyronine Deiodinase Type II