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Biomedical subjects

A Liotta

Publications and source records attributed to A Liotta.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The hormonal and cellular control of Sertoli cell secretion.

Sertoli cells synthesize and secrete a number of cell-specific products including androgen binding protein (ABP), as well as "serum proteins" such as transferrin. The secretion of these proteins is regulated by extra-testicular hormones such as FSH and insulin; Leydig cell-produced steroids and proopiomelano-cortin-derived peptides; and the presence of peritubular myoid cells and/or factors secreted by these cells. Many of the Sertoli cell proteins are secreted in a cyclic fashion during the different stages of the spermatogenic cycle suggesting communication between Sertoli cells and developing germ cells. The availability of quantitative measurements for Sertoli cell-specific proteins such as ABP make it feasible to follow Sertoli cell function in vivo by measuring these products in serum. A bidirectional secretion of proteins by Sertoli cells is proposed to explain the presence of specific peptides in the male reproductive tract and blood.

Androgen-Binding Protein↗

beta-Lipotropin in brain: localization in hypothalamic neurons by immunoperoxidase technique.

beta-Lipotropin (beta-LPH) has been localized in hypothalamus and pituitary of sheep and ox by the immunoperoxidase technique. In both species beta-LPH was found in perikarya of arcuate neurons as well as in cells of the anterior and intermediate lobes of the pituitary. A large number of immunoreactive axons were found in the arcuate region; some appeared to innervate other neurons and others projected to portal capillaries. Stained fiber segments were also scattered throughout the hypothalamus. The presence of beta-LPH in hypothalamic neurons supports the possibility that brain beta-LPH may be a precursor for opiate-like or other peptides which may be involved in neuromodulation or neurohormonal activities.

Animals↗

Presence of corticotropin in brain of normal and hypophysectomized rats.

Immunoreactive and bioreactive corticotropin (ACTH-like) activities have been detected in the median eminence and remaining medial basal hypothalamus of both normal and hypophysectomized adult male rats: bioreactive ACTH (pg/100 mug of protein) 1028 in median eminence and 1289 in medial basal hypothalamus; immunoreactive ACTH (midportion ACTH antibody), 1554 in median eminence and 1887 in medial basal hypothalamus. By use of appropriate antibodies and bioassay, it was demonstrated that immunoreactivity was not due solely to alpha-melanotropin, which has previously been reported to be present in the brain of hypophysectomized animals. The Sephadex G-50 gel filtration patterns determined by immunoassay of column eluates obtained from hypothalamic extracts of normal or hypophysectomized animals were similar but were not identical to the pattern derived from whole pituitary. Immunoreactive (midportion ACTH antibody) ACTH concentrations (pg/100 mug of protein) of other central nervous system areas in normal animals were: cerebellum 34.3, cortex 46.3, thalamus 23.8, and hippocampus 116.3. The total amount of bioreactive ACTH present in the median eminence and medial basal hypothalamus is approximately 1% of that present in the pituitary. The present data suggest that such ACTH may have a diencephalic rather than pituitary origin and raise the question of the functional significance of such ACTH.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Corticotropin releasing factor distribution in normal and Brattleboro rat brain, and effect of deafferentation, hypophysectomy and steroid treatment in normal animals.

Corticotropin-Releasing Factor (CRF) activity was determined (dispersed pituitary cell assay) in rat median eminence (ME), various hypothalamic nuclei, as well as in entire median basal hypothalamus (MBH) and extra-hypothalamic areas. Highest concentrations were seen in ME, with decreased concentrations noted proceeding dorsally and cephalad from ME. Potency (NIAMDD HE-RP-1, ME reference extract, equivalent to 1.0) estimates were: ME-2.2; arcuate n.-0.88; dorsomedial n.-041; ventromedial n.-0.35; periventricular n.-0.24; hypothalamus-0.05; thalamus-0.01; cortex-0.005. Measurable, but lesser amounts, than in the above cited nuclei, were present in supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei. CRF activity was not measurable in preoptic area, septum, olfactory bulb, striatum, mesencephalon, pons, medulla or cerebellum. Complete hypothalamic deafferentation was accompanied by an increase in CRF activity/mug protein in ME and MBH, associated with decreased AM plasma ACTH and corticosterone concentrations. CRF-like activity in ME and MBH increased following hypophysectomy and after dexamethasone pretreatment. These findings indicate that CRF is mainly synthesized in the ME and surrounding area, and this source of CRF is sensitive to feedback effects and that extrahypothalamic inputs affect CRF release. Female animals had higher ME CRF content than did male animals. Homozygous and heterozygous Brattleboro rats had significantly less CRF in ME and MBH than did control animals, with significant differences also noted between homozygous and heterozygous animals.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Presence of corticotropin in human placenta: demonstration of in vitro synthesis.

Immunoassayable (I) and bioassayable (B) ACTH activity is present in extracts of extensively washed human placental tissue and dispersed viable trophoblasts (Tr). Similar concentrations (I) (1.7-2.7 ng/g) are present in term placentas from elective cesarian section or vaginal delivery and from plancentas obtained by prostaglandin-induced abortion at 12, 15 and 18 weeks of gestation. Oral dexamethasone (8-12 mg) administered over an 8-48 h period prior to delivery does not significantly alter placental ACTH content. B-ACTH concentrations are 31-40% of I-ACTH. Sephadex G-50 filtration of term placental homogenates demonstrates two I-ACTH peaks, one eluting in the void volume and the other eluting in the region of synthetic hACTH1-39. When Tr are incubated in tissue culture medium, ACTH content of cells and of medium is significantly greater than pre-incubation levels.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗