GH and PRL gene expression by nonradioisotopic in situ hybridization in TSH-secreting pituitary adenomas

TSH-secreting pituitary adenomas are rare. The transcriptional expression (messenger ribonucleic acids: mRNAs) of TSH beta, GH, and PRL in five patients with TSH-secreting pituitary adenoma was studied by the in situ hybridization (ISH) method in order to elucidate their multiple hormone production. These patients showed inappropriately elevated serum TSH and alpha-subunit levels as well as pituitary mass lesions. The tissues from pituitary adenomas were obtained at the time of transsphenoidal surgery and revealed immunohistochemically the expression of alpha-subunit and TSH beta in all patients. Four adenomas were immunohistochemically associated with GH or PRL localization. The presence of pituitary-specific transcriptional factor Pit-1 was demonstrated in all adenomas in the nuclei of many cells. By ISH, signals for TSH beta mRNA were present in all five cases in many adenoma cells. Expression of GH mRNA and PRL mRNA were detected not only in four adenomas in which both hormonal products were immunolocalized but also in one adenoma that was immunohistochemically negative for GH and PRL. Combined staining by ISH and immunohistochemistry revealed the expression of GH mRNA and PRL mRNA in TSH beta-immunoreactive cells. Our findings indicate that TSH-secreting adenomas are multihormone-producing and could arise from precursor or stem cells rather than from differentiated TSH-secreting cells. It is suggested that ISH combined with immunohistochemistry may provide additional detailed information concerning the multidirectional histogenesis of this rare type of adenoma.