Expression of human Pit-1 product in the human pituitary and pituitary adenomas. Immunohistochemical studies using an antibody against synthetic human Pit-1 product.

Abstract

The invariable expression of hPit-1 protein in growth hormone-positive adenomas and thyroid-stimulating hormone-positive adenomas may suggest the role of Pit-1 protein in specific differentiation of the adenoma cells. The expression of hPit-1 in various other types of adenomas may indicate the involvement of other unidentified transcription factors or specific mediators that have roles in these differentiations. Our observation may provide some insight into the origin of cell types of some clinically nonfunctional adenomas.