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thyrotropes

This cell type, also known as thyrotropic cells (thyrotrophs, thyrotrophic cells, thyrotrope cells), is found in the pituitary and is one of five hormone-producing cell types in the pituitary (the others being lactotropes, corticotropes, somatotropes, gonadotropes). These terms reflect a conservative view ("one cell - one hormone") of anterior pituitary cell types and it should be noted that these cells may store and release more than one hormone (Villalobos et al, 2004). Approximately 30 % of rat mouse and monkey pituitary cells, for example, express mRNAs for multiple hormones (Hauspie et al, 2003; Okada et al, 2003; Roudbaraki et al, 1999; Seuntjens et al, 2002). For an intermediate cell type showing features of thyrotropes and somatotropes see: thyrosomatotropes, corticothyrotropes. According to their histological staining behaviour (high affinity towards basic dyes), thyrotropes are classified as basophil cells.

Thyrotropes constitute 5-8 % of all the anterior pituitary cells and produce the hormone thyrotropin [thyroid stimulating hormone; abbr. TSH]. Thus, they are also being referred to as TSH cells. For a brief overview see: Ooi et al (2004).

Villalobos et al (2004) have reported that murine thyrotropes are a mosaic of cell phenotypes rather than a single cell type. Most murine thyrotropes are polyhormonal, containing thyrotropin (TSH), luteinizing hormone (40-42 %) and prolactin (19-21 %). Thyrotropes co-storing growth hormone and/or ACTH are found in females only (24 % of each type).

Pope et al (2006) that human fetal thyrotropes express the alpha subunit common to the gonatotropins FSH and LH, chorionic gonadotropin, and thyrotropin (alpha-GSU) and TSH-beta. Most if not all thyrotropes express TSH-beta but do not express alpha-GSU-negative until around 19 weeks in human, and e15 in mouse fetal pituitaries. Thyrotropes expressing TSH-beta only are dividing cells, and TSH-beta is the lead protein in thyrotrope development.

For related information see also: Cell types, Cell lines in Cytokine Research, Cell culture.

MODIFIED: August 2006

See REFERENCES for entry thyrotropes

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