gp130-Related Cytokines and Their Receptors in the Pituitary.
gp130-Related cytokines such as interleukin-6 and leukemia-inhibitory factor (LIF) act on the adenohypophysis in a paracrine manner, affecting both its differentiation and the function of specific cell types, notably the proopiomelanocortin (POMC) cells. They act on POMC cells in synergism with corticotrophin-releasing hormone, inducing ACTH secretion. gp130-Related cytokines as well as their receptors are expressed in the pituitary. LIF knockout mice show reduced stress-induced ACTH secretion, which can be restored by LIF replacement, suggesting a physiologic role for LIF.
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Cedars-Sinai Research Institute, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.