Endocrine Abstracts

Annexin A1 (AnxA1) acts as a mediator of glucocorticoid (GC) actions in neuroendocrine systems. In the anterior pituitary Anx-1 is expressed mainly by folliculostellate (FS) cells and mediates the early-delayed feedback inhibition exerted by GCs on release of ACTH and other pituitary hormones. GC cause the externalization of AnxA1. The stress responsiveness of the female rat hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal system varies with the estrous cycle, with increased CORT release in resp...

Annexin 1 (ANXA1) is a member of the annexin family of phospholipid- and calcium- binding proteins with a well-demonstrated role in the inhibitory actions of glucocorticoids on the release of ACTH, TSH, GH and PRL from the anterior pituitary. Consistent with these findings plasma PRL content is raised in male ANXA1 null mice vs wild-type controls (Cover et al Endocrine Abstracts 8, P69). Here we test the hypothesis that because ANXA1 mediates some of the inhibitory actions of ...

The formylated peptide receptors comprise a polymorphic family of seven transmembrane domain Gi-protein-coupled receptors. Three family members have been characterised in man (FPR, FPRL1 and FPRL2) and eight in mice (Fpr1, Fpr-rs1 to Fpr-rs7) (1). FPR was originally identified as a receptor for formylated bacterial peptides but recent studies suggest that it is also a target for annexin 1 (ANXA1) (2), a protein mediator of glucocorticoid action in the neuroendocrine system (3)...

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine produced by peripheral immune cells and also by pituitary endocrine cells. MIF exerts its pro-inflammatory actions in the host defence system by blocking the inhibitory effects of glucocorticoids on the release of other pro-inflammatory cytokines. Reports that pituitary folliculo-stellate (FS) cells show characteristics of immune cells led us to propose that FS cells may serve as an additional source o...

Prolactin secretion is sexually dimorphic and sensitive to changes in gonadal steroid and glucocorticoid status. Reports that the regulatory effects of glucocorticoids on prolactin release are mediated in part via annexin 1 (ANXA1, 1), have led us to compare prolactin secretion and lactotroph morphology in ANXA1 knockout (KO) and wildtype (WT) mice and to determine the effects gonadectomy +/- testosterone replacement (80 micrograms per day, s.c.) on (a) the plasma prolactin co...