Folliculo-stellate cells of the human pituitary as adult stem cells: examples of their neoplastic potential.
Two unique, formerly unrecorded sellar neoplasms were observed in two women of 60 and 63 years of age. One lesion consisted of small epithelial cells and the other was a large-cell oncocytic tumor, yet they had the same simple cytoplasmic organization with dominance of polyribosomes and a sprinkle of glycogen. Striking markers shared by the neoplasms: (1) network of typical pituitary follicles, and (2) unexpected similarity to fetal human pituitary tissue at different gestational ages of 6 and 10-12 weeks. The latter showed appreciable endocrine differentiation. The assumed parent cell is the folliculo-stellate cell as pluripotent adult stem cell.
Horvath
Eva
E
Department of Laboratory Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. kovacsk@smh.ca
Coire
Claire I
CI
Kovacs
Kalman
K
Smyth
Harley S
HS
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D039904:Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011132:Polyribosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012658:Sella Turcica / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor