Pituicyte

Pituycytes are cells that function as stroma in the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland (PP) of the brain. They have many thin cytoplasmic processes and resemble astrocytes in appearance. Pituycytes play an important role in regulating the secretion of hormones by the pituitary gland.

Pituytes were first described in 1955 and named after the Latin word “pituitus” - pituitary gland. They are the most abundant cells in the DH and make up about 70% of all cells in this organ.

The appearance of pituicytes resembles astrocytes, but they have longer and thinner cytoplasmic processes that extend between the cylinders of neurosecretory substance. These processes provide communication between pituicytes and pituitary neurons, and also serve to transport nutrients and hormones.

The function of pituicytes is to maintain the structure and function of the pituitary gland by interacting with other cells such as endocrine cells and neurons. They are also involved in regulating the secretion of pituitary hormones such as growth hormone, prolactin and others.

In people with pituitary tumors such as prolactinoma or pituitary adenoma, pituicytes may be involved in the pathological process. In these cases, pituicytes may lose their function and become more sensitive to hormones, which can lead to hypersecretion of hormones and the development of disease symptoms.

In general, pituicytes are important cells in the regulation of hormone secretion by the pituitary gland and play a key role in its functioning. Their study can help in understanding the mechanisms of regulation of hormonal balance and the development of new methods for treating diseases associated with disruption of the pituitary gland and its hormones.

Pituicyte: stromal cell in the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland

In the hypothalamic-pituitary system, the pituitary gland plays an important role in the regulation of various physiological processes in the body. The pituitary gland, or pituitary gland, consists of an anterior and posterior lobe, each of which has different functions. While the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland is responsible for the synthesis and release of various hormones, the posterior lobe, also known as the neurohypophysis, is responsible for the storage and release of neurophysins and oxytocin.

The posterior lobe of the pituitary gland contains a special cell known as Pituicyte. Pituycytes are neuroglial cells that function as stroma in the pituitary gland. They have a similar appearance to astrocytes, another type of neuroglial cell that has a supportive function in the central nervous system.

Pituycytes are characterized by the presence of many thin cytoplasmic processes. These processes extend into the spaces between the cylinders of the neurosecretory substance, which contains neurophysins and oxytocin. Pituycyte processes provide physical support and contact with neuroexosomes, where the synthesis and secretion of neurophysins and oxytocin occurs.

In addition to their structural role, pituicytes also play an active role in regulating the release of neurophysins and oxytocin. They can respond to various signals and changes in the external environment by changing their activity and binding to neuroexosomes. Thus, pituicytes are able to regulate the level and release of neurophysins and oxytocin in the pituitary gland.

Despite the fact that pituicytes are relatively little-studied cells, their role in the functioning of the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland and the hypothalamic-pituitary system as a whole is becoming increasingly clear. Further studies of pituicytes may shed light on the mechanisms of regulation of neuroendocrine processes and reveal their potential role in pathological conditions associated with the pituitary gland and hypothalamus.

In conclusion, pituicytes are special cells found in the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland that function as stroma and play an important role in regulating the release of neurophysins and oxytocin. With their thin cytoplasmic processes and contact with neurosecretory substances, pituicytes provide support and communication with neuroexosomes, regulating the release of neurophysins and oxytocin. Further studies of pituicytes may shed light on their role in physiological and pathological processes associated with the pituitary gland and hypothalamus.

Pituycytes are glial cells located in the pituitary pyramids of the brain. They perform the functional role of the neuroglial stroma. This neuroglial cell in the anterior part of the brain is the main source of neurotrophic factors necessary for the survival of nerve cells, including hypothalamic neurons and neurosecretory cells of the APUD system.

Pituycytes receive information from the external environment through the axon terminals of neurons, in addition, they receive information about nutrition from local endocrine cells and even some neuropileal cells. Thus, synchronization of the functions of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system occurs. That is, the hypothalamus receives information from pituicytes before sending its own, so pituicytes perform to some extent an analogue of regulatory functions over hypothalamic neurons. Pituycytes, the neuronal material of which is formed in the primary neural tube, perform an important function, influencing the neurotrophic properties of hypophysiotropic factors. It is this neuronal component that ensures the readiness of the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland for the formation of neurosecretion. Growth hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, thyrotropins, thyrotropin (TSH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteotropins participate in the regulation of the rhythm of secretion of hypophysiotropic substances.