title: Immunological and clinical aspects of lymphocytic hypophysitis.
abstract: LYH (lymphocytic hypophysitis) is an autoimmune disease of the pituitary gland which can present with varying degrees of pituitary hormonal impairment and/or with symptoms related to pituitary enlargement. In this review, we provide an overview of the epidemiology, diagnosis, pathogenesis, treatment, and the role of organ-specific and antipituitary antibodies as potential markers of LYH. In addition, although the mechanisms underlying LYH are not completely understood, the role of prolactin, which plays an important part in maintaining immune system homoeostasis and is increased in the disease, is considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Surgery, "F. Magrassi, A. Lanzara", Second University of Naples, Naples 80131, Italy. annamaria.debellis@unina2.it
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Bellis
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ruocco
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Battaglia
authors.forename: Marisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Conte
authors.forename: Concetta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Coronella
authors.forename: Gilda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tirelli
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bellastella
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pane
authors.forename: Antonio Agostino
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Sinisi
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bizzarro
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bellastella
mesh_terms: D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008218:Lymphocytosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000503:physiopathology; D010900:Pituitary Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies