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Updated: Jul 8, 2025
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Development of Organoids from Mouse Pituitary as In Vitro Model to Explore Pituitary Stem Cell Biology
Published on: February 25, 2022
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Pituitary stem cells: past, present and future perspectives
María Inés Pérez Millán1, Leonard Y M Cheung2,3, Florencia Mercogliano1
1Institute of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Translational Biology (IB3-UBA), University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Nature Reviews. Endocrinology
|December 15, 2023
Summary
Pituitary stem cells, identified by SOX2, self-renew and differentiate. Their regenerative capacity declines with age, with underlying mechanisms requiring further study for therapeutic advancements.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- SOX2-expressing pituitary cells function as stem cells, capable of self-renewal and differentiation into diverse hormone-producing cell types within organoids.
- Pituitary stem cell activation by injury or stress is incomplete, leading to reduced restoration and age-dependent decline in mobilization, with underlying causes yet to be elucidated.
- Signaling pathways like WNT and Hippo regulate stem cell quiescence and activation, but their complex interactions in the pituitary remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of key discoveries in pituitary stem cell biology.
- To highlight critical areas for future research in pituitary stem cell function and organogenesis.
- To explore the potential of pituitary organoids in understanding gene function and therapeutic applications.
Main Methods:
- Formation of pituitary organoids from human or mouse embryonic stem cells and human induced pluripotent stem cells.
- Assessment of stem cell self-renewal and differentiation capabilities within organoid models.
- Evaluation of human pituitary organoid transplantation in hypophysectomized mice to assess in vivo function.
Main Results:
- Pituitary stem cells possess self-renewal and multipotent differentiation capacities, forming functional organoids.
- Human pituitary organoid transplantation successfully restored corticosterone release in a mouse model.
- Pituitary organoids serve as a valuable ex vivo platform for studying gene function and hormonal regulation.
Conclusions:
- Pituitary stem cells are crucial for pituitary development and repair, with their function significantly impacted by aging.
- Pituitary organoids represent a promising tool for advancing pituitary stem cell research and exploring therapeutic strategies.
- Further investigation into signaling pathway interactions is essential for understanding and potentially enhancing pituitary stem cell function.
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