Growth factors and pituitary tumors.
Growth within the anterior pituitary gland is probably controlled by several interacting extracellular messenger molecules, including hypothalamic peptides, target gland hormones, and several growth factors acting in autocrine or paracrine fashion. Adenoma formation may result from abnormal production of such factors or their specific cellular receptors, loss of local inhibitory influences, activation of the intracellular secondary message pathways conveying the mitogenic signal to the nucleus, or deregulation of the nuclear processes controlling mitosis.
Webster
J
J
Neuroendocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF4 4XN, UK.
Ham
J
J
Bevan
J S
JS
Scanlon
M F
MF