title: In situ hybridization reveals that type I and III collagens are produced by pericytes in the anterior pituitary gland of rats.
abstract: Type I and III collagens widely occur in the rat anterior pituitary gland and are the main components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Although ECM components possibly play an important role in the function of the anterior pituitary gland, little is known about collagen-producing cells. Type I collagen is a heterotrimer of two α1(I) chains (the product of the col1a1 gene) and one α2(I) chain (the product of the col1a2 gene). Type III collagen is a homotrimer of α1(III) chains (the product of the col3a1 gene). We used in situ hybridization with digoxigenin-labeled cRNA probes to examine the expression of col1a1, col1a2, and col3a1 mRNAs in the pituitary gland of adult rats. mRNA expression for these collagen genes was clearly observed, and cells expressing col1a1, col1a2, and col3a1 mRNA were located around capillaries in the gland. We also investigated the possible double-staining of collagen mRNA and pituitary hormones, S-100 protein (a marker of folliculo-stellate cells), or desmin (a marker of pericytes). Col1a1 and col3a1 mRNA were identified in desmin-immunopositive cells. Thus, only pericytes produce type I and III collagens in the rat anterior pituitary gland.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Division of Histology and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan.
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujiwara
authors.forename: Depicha
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jindatip
authors.forename: Motoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kikuchi
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yashiro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D024061:Collagen Type III / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004076:Digoxigenin / Q000494:pharmacology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D020286:Pericytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000378:metabolism*; D018075:RNA, Complementary; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I; D024061:Collagen Type III; D018075:RNA, Complementary; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004076:Digoxigenin