Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Immunocytochemical localization of vimentin in stellate cells (Folliculo-stellate cells) of the rat, cat and rabbit pituitary pars distalis

  • Published:
Anatomy and Embryology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The occurrence of vimentin, a specific intermediate filament protein, has been studied by an indirect immunoperoxidase method in the anterior pituitary gland of adult rats, cats and rabbits of both sexes. In the three species studied, the immunoreaction product was detected in the cytoplasm of stellate-shaped cells scattered throughout the pars distalis. These stellate cells showed long cytoplasmic processes which could be seen between the secretory cells, and occasionally, encircling them. These processes sometimes reach the vasculo-connective septa. The marginal cells lining the anterior layer of the hypophyseal cleft of the rat and the cat pituitary glands also showed a positive immunoreaction. Finally, cyst or follicle-like structures lined by immunostained cells with basal processes could be observed in the anterior lobe of the rat, but not in that of the rabbit or the cat.

These findings support the previously held view that folliculo-stellate cells and marginal cells of the anterior pituitary gland have a common nature and suggest that these cell types might be derived from glial neuroectodermic cells.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amat P, Boya J (1973) Estudio comparativo de la célula estrellada de la adenohipófisis. An Anat 22:5–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Barberini F, Correr S (1984) Ultrastructure of Rathke's pituitary cleft. In Motta, PM (ed) Ultrastructure of endocrine cells and tissues. Martinus Nijhoff Publ, Boston, pp 55–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Bignani A, Raju T, Dahl, D (1982) Localization of vimentin, the non-specific intermediate filament protein, in embryonal glia and in early differentiating neurons. Dev Biol 91:286–295

    Google Scholar 

  • Calvo J, Boya J, Borregon A, Garcia-Mauriño JE (1988) Presence of glial cells in the rat pineal gland. A light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical study. Anat Rec 220:424–428

    Google Scholar 

  • Cocchia D, Miani N (1980) Immunocytochemical localization of the brain-specific S-100 protein in the pituitary gland of adult rat. J Neurocytol 9:771–782

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahl D, Rueger DC, Bignani A (1981a) Vimentin, the 57000 molecular weight protein of fibroblast filaments, is the major cytoskeletal component in immature glia. Eur J Cell Biol 24:191–196

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahl D, Bignani A, Weber K, Osborn M (1981b) Filament proteins in rat optic nerves undergoing Wallerian degeneration. Localization of vimentin, the fibroblastic 100 A filament protein, in normal and reactive astrocytes. Exp Neurol 73:496–506

    Google Scholar 

  • Dingemans KP, Feltkamp CA (1972) Nongranulated cells in the mouse adenohypophysis. Z Zellforsch 124:387–405

    Google Scholar 

  • Doglioni C, Dell'Orto P, Coggi G, Iuzzolino P, Bontempini L, Viale G (1987) Choroid plexus tumors. An immunocytochemical study with particular reference to the coexpression of intermediate filament proteins. Am J Pathol 127:519–529

    Google Scholar 

  • Girod C, Lheritier M (1986a) Ultrastructural observations on folliculo-stellate cells in the pars distalis of the pituitary gland in three rodent species. Arch Histol Jpn 49:1–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Girod C, Lheritier M (1986b) Ultrastructural identification of folliculo-stellate cells in the pars distalis of the cat and dog pituitary gland. J Anat 144:113–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Girod C, Trouillas J, Dubois MP (1985) Immunocytochemical localization of S-100 protein in stellate cells (folliculo-stellate cells) of the anterior lobe of the normal human pituitary. Cell Tissue Res 241:505–511

    Google Scholar 

  • Girod C, Trouillas J, Raccurt M, Dubois MP (1986) Immunocytochemical localization of S-100 protein in stellate cells (folliculo-stellate cells) of the adenohypophysis in the monkeys Macaca irus and Cercopithecus aethiops. Cell Tissue Res 246:237–242

    Google Scholar 

  • Gon G (1987) The origin of ciliated cell cysts of the anterior pituitary. An experimental study in the rat. Virchows Arch A 412:1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Gown AM, Gabbiani G (1984) Intermediate-sized (10-nm) filaments in human tumors. In: DeLellis RA (ed) Advances in Immunohistochemistry. Masson Publ USA, pp 89–109

    Google Scholar 

  • Haimoto H, Hosoda S, Kato K (1987) Differential distribution of immunoreactive S-100-α and S-100-β proteins in normal nonnervous human tissues. Lab Invest 57:489–498

    Google Scholar 

  • Höfler H, Walter GF, Denk H (1984a) Immunohistochemistry of folliculo-stellate cells in normal human adenohypophysis and in pituitary adenomas. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 65:35–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Höfler H, Denk H, Walter GF (1984b) Immunohistochemical demonstration of cytokeratins in endocrine cells of the human pituitary gland and in pituitary adenomas. Virchows Arch [A] 404:359–368

    Google Scholar 

  • Ishikawa H, Nogami H, Shirasawa N (1983) Novel clonal strains from adult rat anterior pituitary producing S-100 protein. Nature 303:711–713

    Google Scholar 

  • Iwaki T, Kondo A, Takeshita I, Nakagaki H, Tateishi J (1986) Proliferating potential of folliculo-stellate cells in human pituitary adenomas. Immunohistochemical and electron microscopic analysis. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 71:233–242

    Google Scholar 

  • Lauriola K, Cocchia D, Sentinelli S, Maggiano N, Maira G, Michetti F (1984) Immunohistochemical detection of folliculo-stellate cells in human pituitary adenomas. Virchows Arch [B] 47:189–197

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris CS, Hitchcock E (1985) Immunocytochemistry of folliculo-stellate cells of normal and neoplastic pituitary gland. J Clin Pathol 38:481–488

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakajima T, Yamaguchi H, Takahashi K (1980) S-100 protein in folliculo-stellate cells of the rat pituitary anterior lobe. Brain Res 191:523–531

    Google Scholar 

  • Ordronneau P, Petrusz P (1986) Non-hormonal markers in the pituitary. In: Polack JM, Van Noorden S (eds) Immunocytochemistry: modern methods and applications. Wright & Sons, Bristol, pp 425–437

    Google Scholar 

  • Redecker P, Wittowski W, Hoffman K (1987) Glial cell positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein in the neurophypophysis of the Djungarina hamster (Phodopus sungorus). An immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study. Cell Tissue Res 249:465–471

    Google Scholar 

  • Redecker P (1987) Golgi-like immunostaining of pituicytes and tanycytes positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein in the neurohypophysis of Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unquiculatus). Histochemistry 87:585–595

    Google Scholar 

  • Salm AK, Hatton GL, Nilaver G (1982) Immunoreactive glial fibrillary acidic protein in pituicytes of the rat neurohypophysis. Brain Res 23:471–476

    Google Scholar 

  • Schechter J (1969) The ultrastructure of the stellate cell in the rabbit pars distalis. Am J Anat 126:477–488

    Google Scholar 

  • Schechter J (1971) The cytodifferentiation of the rabbit pars distalis: an electron microscopic study. Gen Comp Endocrinol 16:1–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Schnitzer J, Franke WW, Schachner M (1981) Immunocytochemical demonstration of Vimentin in astrocytes and ependymal cells of developing and adult mouse nervous system. J Cell Biol 90:435–447

    Google Scholar 

  • Semoff S, Hadley ME (1978) Localization of ATPase activity to the glial-like cells of the pars intermedia. Gen Comp Endocrinol 35:329–341

    Google Scholar 

  • Shimada T, Nakamura F, Ishikawa H (1987) Characteristic of the surface cells of the rat anterior pituitary gland in culture. Biomed Res 8:335–343

    Google Scholar 

  • Shiotani Y (1980) An electron microscopic study on stellate cells in the rabbit adenohypophysis under various endocrine conditions. Cell Tissue Res 213:237–246

    Google Scholar 

  • Shirasawa N, Kihara H, Yamaguchi S, Yoshimura F (1983) Pituitary folliculo-stellate cells immunostained with S-100 protein antiserum in postnatal, castrated and thyroidectomized rats. Cell Tissue Res 231:235–249

    Google Scholar 

  • Stokreef JC, Reifel CW, Shin SH (1986) A possible phagocytic role for folliculo-stellate cells of anterior pituitary following estrogen withdrawal from primed male rats. Cell Tissue Res 243:255–261

    Google Scholar 

  • Svalander C (1974) Ultrastructure of fetal rat adenohypophysis. Acta Endocrinol 76:1–113

    Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi K, Isobe T, Ohtsuki Y, Akagi T, Sonobe H, Okuyama T (1984) Immunohistochemical study on the distribution of α-and β subunits of S-100 protein in human neoplasm and normal tissues. Virchows Arch [B] 45:385–396

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor CR (1986) Immunomicroscopy: a diagnostic tool for the surgical pathologist. In: Bennington (ed) Major Problems in Pathology, vol 19. Saunders, Philadelphia, pp 23–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Trojanowski JQ, Gordon D, Obrocka M, Lee MY (1984) The developmental expression of neurofilament and glial filament proteins in the human pituitary gland: an immunohistochemical study with monoclonal antibodies. Dev Brain Res 13:229–239

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Nassauw L, Harrison F, Cras P, Callebaut M (1987) Immunohistochemical localization of S-100 protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and neuron-specific enolase in the pars distalis of quail, rat and human hypophyses. Histochemistry 86:353–358

    Google Scholar 

  • Vanstapel MJ, Gatter KC, Dewolff-Paeters C, Mason DY, Desmet VD (1986) New sites of human S-100 immunoreactivity detected with monoclonal antibodies. Am J Clin Pathol 85:160–168

    Google Scholar 

  • Velasco ME, Roessmann U, Gambetti P (1982) The presence of glial fibrillary acidic protein in the human pituitary gland. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 41:150–163

    Google Scholar 

  • Vila-Porcile E, Olivier L (1984) The problem of the folliculo-stellate cells in the pituitary gland. In: Motta PM (ed) Ultrastructure of endocrine cells and tissues. Martinus Nijhoff Publ, Boston, pp 64–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Vila-Porcile E (1972) Le réseau des cellules folliculo-stellaires et les follicules de l'adénohypophyse du rat (pars distalis). Z Zellforsch 129:328–369

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoshimura F, Soji T, Kiguchi Y (1977a) Relationship between the follicular cells and marginal layer cells of the anterior pituitary. Endocrinol Jpn 24:301–305

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoshimura F, Soji T, Sato S, Yokohama M (1977b) Development and differentiation of rat pituitary follicular cells under normal and some experimental conditions with special reference to an interpretation of renewal cell system. Endocrinol Jpn 24:435–449

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University Complutense, E-28040, Madrid, Spain

    F. Marin, J. Boya & A. Lopez-Carbonell

Authors
  1. F. Marin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. Boya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. Lopez-Carbonell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Marin, F., Boya, J. & Lopez-Carbonell, A. Immunocytochemical localization of vimentin in stellate cells (Folliculo-stellate cells) of the rat, cat and rabbit pituitary pars distalis. Anat Embryol 179, 491–495 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00319592

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00319592

Key words

Search

Navigation