title: Microsurgical anatomy of membranous layers of the pituitary gland and the expression of extracellular matrix collagenous proteins.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are several reports about the microanatomical and histological features of sellar and parasellar membranous structures and clinical studies about MMP proteinase as a predictive factor. However, studies on collagen contents of sellar and parasellar membranous structures are limited. We demonstrated the membranous structures surrounding the pituitary gland and defined extracellular matrix (ECM) collagenous proteins, collagen I-IV expression patterns of sellar and parasellar connective tissues.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out on ten fresh postmortem human bodies at the Forensic Medicine Institution. Cavernous sinuses were resected with sellar structures and were stored at -80°C liquid nitrogen tanks. Medial wall of the cavernous sinus, pituitary capsule and pituitary tissue samples were obtained for RT-PCR. Opposite side specimens were used for histological and immune staining studies. Collagens I-IV were studied by immunohistochemical and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The pituitary capsule and medial wall were identified as two different structures. The fibrous membrane, as the third membrane, was identified as staying whole in eight of ten specimens. Increased type IV collagen was determined in the pituitary gland, medial wall and pituitary capsule, respectively, in both RT-PCR and immunhistochemical studies. Immunhistochemical studies revealed that collagen I was strongly expressed in both the medial wall and pituitary gland.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased type IV collagen was detected especially in pituitary tissue, the medial wall and the pituitary capsule by immune staining and RT-PCR. Type IV collagen was considered to be an important factor in the progression of adenoma and invasion.
authors.affiliation: Pituitary Research Centre, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey. ssceylan@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Savas
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ceylan
authors.forename: Ihsan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Anik
authors.forename: Kenan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koc
authors.forename: Sibel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kokturk
authors.forename: Sureyya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ceylan
authors.forename: Naci
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cine
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Savli
authors.forename: Gozde
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sirin
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sam
authors.forename: Nurperi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gazioglu
mesh_terms: D003094:Collagen / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D004210:Dissection / Q000379:methods; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D012658:Sella Turcica / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D003094:Collagen