Abstract:
Background: Folliculo-stellate cells were first identified with electron microscopy as a non-hormone secreting accessory cells, star-shaped and follicleforming
cells. They represent about 4-20% of pituitary cells from the anterior pituitary lobe. The folliculo-stellate cells control several anterior pituitary
activities. However, they do not produce hormones, but they produce growth factors, cytokines, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast
growth factor (bFGF), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), IL-6, and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), IL-1β and TNF-α. Regardless of a long
period of pituitary research and many morphological, cytophysiological studies, it has been reported that a precise understanding of the major functions
of folliculo-stellate in the pituitary gland remains unknown. Consequently, there are still many unsolved issues.
Conclusions: This article intends to review the characteristics of folliculo-stellate cells and their uncertain functions in the adenohypophysis, such as
their importance as stem cells, in the process of maturation and aging. New researches about the origin and differentiation of folliculo-stellate cells may
provide many relevant answers about physiopathology of the pituitary gland and the pathogenesis of pituitary tumors, as well as their influence on the
quality of life. Immunohistochemical profile studies of folliculo-stellate cells in pituitary gland, can be useful in elucidation of morphological features
and may have a predictive role for the early identification of pituitary microadenomas, prognosis of pituitary tumors and treatment.
Description:
Department of Morphopathology, Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau the Republic of Moldova