Endocrine Abstracts

Observations obtained in our and other laboratories suggest that growth factors produced by glial cells, may participate in the control of LHRH-secreting neurons. In particular, utilizing GT1 cells (i.e., LHRH immortalized neurons) we have demonstrated, that transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFbeta 1) is able to modulate the synthesis and release of LHRH from these neurons. We presently investigate the mechanism of action of this growth factor analyzing TGFbeta signaling pat...

It is now well known that peripheral nervous system (PNS) is able to synthesize neurosteroids and to convert them, or hormonal steroids coming from the periphery, in neuroactive steroids. Moreover, PNS possess both classical (e.g., progesterone receptor, PR, androgen receptor, AR) and non-classical (e.g., GABAA receptor) steroid receptors and consequently may represent a target for the action of neuroactive steroids. Our data have indicated that neuroactive steroids, like for ...