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Galanin in pituitary adenomas
Eva Grenbäck1, Per Bjellerup, Ella Wallerman
1Department of Molecular Medicine, Endocrine and Diabetes Unit, Karolinska Hospital, S-17176 Stockholm, Sweden. Eva.Grenback@ks.se
Regulatory Peptides
|January 1, 2004
Summary
Human pituitary tumors, especially corticotroph adenomas, show high galanin levels correlated with ACTH. Galanin and ACTH are often co-expressed within the same tumor cells, but plasma galanin is unaffected by tumor content.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neuroscience
- Oncology
Background:
- Galanin is a neuropeptide found in the central nervous system and pituitary.
- Pituitary adenomas are common tumors, with specific types linked to hormone overproduction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate galanin expression and its relationship with hormones in human pituitary adenomas.
- To determine if galanin is co-expressed with ACTH in corticotroph adenomas.
Main Methods:
- Radioimmunoassay (RIA) for galanin and ACTH quantification.
- Reverse-phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) for molecular form analysis.
- In situ hybridization for galanin mRNA and POMC mRNA expression.
Main Results:
- Galanin was detected in 22/24 pituitary tumors, with highest levels in corticotroph adenomas.
- Tumor galanin and ACTH levels were strongly correlated in all tumors studied.
- Galanin and POMC mRNA were found in the same or different cell populations within tumors.
- Plasma galanin levels were not related to tumor galanin content.
Conclusions:
- Corticotroph adenomas express high levels of galanin alongside ACTH, often co-synthesized in the same cells.
- Galanin levels in pituitary tumors do not influence peripheral plasma galanin concentrations.