Anterior pituitary cells express pattern recognition receptors for fungal glucans: implications for neuroendocrine immune involvement in response to XXXX .

@entity1 @entity5750 @entity2938 @entity5132 @entity364 @entity2939
OBJECTIVES: Hormones and cytokines are known to act as regulatory messengers between the neuroendocrine and immune systems. The innate immune system identifies infectious agents by means of pattern-recognition receptors. These receptors recognize pathogen-specific macromolecules called pathogen-associated molecular patterns. Fungal cell wall glucans nonspecifically stimulate various aspects of innate immunity via interaction with membrane receptors on immune-competent cells. Glucans are also released into the systemic circulation of @entity1 with @entity364 . Recent evidence confirms the existence of glucan-specific receptors on cells outside the immune system. We hypothesized that glucans may directly interact with pituitary cells as an early signaling event in @entity364 . METHODS: We characterized the receptor-mediated interaction of glucan derived from @entity5132 with pituitary cells using surface plasmon resonance. Prolactin levels were assayed by commercial ELISA. @entity2938 , @entity2939 and @entity5750 mRNA levels were assessed by RT-PCR. RESULTS: A single glucan-specific binding site was identified on rodent somatomammotroph (K(D) = 3.9 microM) and @entity1 folliculostellate cell (K(D) = 3.6 microM) membranes. Coincubation of glucan with somatomammotroph cells for 72 h significantly (p < 0.01) increased prolactin accumulation by 56-62% over that observed in cells treated with media alone. Glucan also increased @entity2939 and @entity5750 gene expression in @entity1 folliculostellate cells. CONCLUSIONS: Pituitary cells directly recognize and respond to fungal cell wall glucans resulting in stimulation of pituitary cell @entity2939 and @entity5750 gene expression. In addition, glucan stimulates secretion of prolactin, a hormone that plays an important role in the response to infection.
