FS cell differentiation into skeletal muscle

Pituitary folliculostellate (FS) cells resemble brain astrocytes. However, the biological significance of FS cells is still under discussion. Osuna et al. have been interested in the differentiation capacity of FS cells, as some of the cells are suspected to act as stem cells in the pituitary gland. Using S100b Tg rats, which express GFP in S100B protein-producing cells such as pituitary FS cells and astrocytes, they show that pituitary FS cells have the potential to differentiate into skeletal muscle cells.

By showing the same differentiation capacity of astrocytes and FS cells, they suggest that FS cells have a biological significance in the pituitary gland similar to that of astrocytes in the central nervous system, ie FS cells might not only support endocrine cells but also have a role in the self-renewal system of the pituitary gland. Osuna et al. (2012) Journal of Endocrinology 213 231-237.

Read the full article at DOI:10.1530/JOE-12-0043