Sellar Masses, Pituitary Adenomas And Pathways Of Pituitary Tumourigenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$90,917.00
Summary
Pituitary tumours encompass a number of pathologies. Their cause is not clearly established. Pituitary adenomas are one of the most frequent intracranial tumours. The genetics of sporadic tumours is unknown. Craniopharyngiomas are rare brain tumours arising in the pituitary stalk area that can have profound effects, presenting in childhood or later. To date there is limited knowledge on the cell signaling pathways causing these tumors, which can help to understand cancer in general.
This study is investigating an autoimmune disease called lymphocytic hypophysitis, involving the master gland in the body, the pituitary. It often affects pregnant women and is under diagnosed. The aim of our study is to determine the cause of this disease and its unexplained link with pregnancy. We are also working on a new diagnostic test which will enable doctors to confirm the diagnosis by serological means. At present, invasive pituitary biopsy is needed. Whilst developing this new test, we ....This study is investigating an autoimmune disease called lymphocytic hypophysitis, involving the master gland in the body, the pituitary. It often affects pregnant women and is under diagnosed. The aim of our study is to determine the cause of this disease and its unexplained link with pregnancy. We are also working on a new diagnostic test which will enable doctors to confirm the diagnosis by serological means. At present, invasive pituitary biopsy is needed. Whilst developing this new test, we have identified three proteins and their genes. This information may have major implications for the study of pituitary gland function.Read moreRead less
The Roles Of EZH2 And FOXO1A In CNS-PNET Pathogenesis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$467,517.00
Summary
Although CNS-PNETs are the most common embryonal CNS tumours of childhood and cause significant mortality and morbidity, there is a very limited understanding of the pathogenesis of this aggressive disease. This situation is a major handicap to the development of more specific and effective therapies. While a better understanding of the fundamental pathology of CNS-PNETs will have immediate diagnostic implications, the elucidation of the biochemical pathways that are disrupted in these tumours w ....Although CNS-PNETs are the most common embryonal CNS tumours of childhood and cause significant mortality and morbidity, there is a very limited understanding of the pathogenesis of this aggressive disease. This situation is a major handicap to the development of more specific and effective therapies. While a better understanding of the fundamental pathology of CNS-PNETs will have immediate diagnostic implications, the elucidation of the biochemical pathways that are disrupted in these tumours will facilitate the design of new drugs that are specifically directed towards the critical proteins in these pathways. The identification of specific genes and-or pathways that are deregulated in CNS-PNET cells is essential for the development of safer, more directed, and more effective therapies that are urgently required for the treatment of those with this devastating disease.Read moreRead less
Functional Modulation Of Ovine And Human Somatotropes By In Vitro Application Of Leptin
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$227,036.00
Summary
Obesity is a common disorder in developed countries and a prevalent condition which is often stigmatized. Actuarial data indicate that life expectancy is reduced when body-mass index (body mass in kg-square of the height in metres) is 20% or more above the ideal (obesity is >28% above ideal). Growth hormone (GH) from pituitary gland is the major anabolic hormone to increase muscle and reduce fat. A significant reduction in GH is found in obesity. Indeed, visceral fat mass is primary negative ....Obesity is a common disorder in developed countries and a prevalent condition which is often stigmatized. Actuarial data indicate that life expectancy is reduced when body-mass index (body mass in kg-square of the height in metres) is 20% or more above the ideal (obesity is >28% above ideal). Growth hormone (GH) from pituitary gland is the major anabolic hormone to increase muscle and reduce fat. A significant reduction in GH is found in obesity. Indeed, visceral fat mass is primary negative statistical determinant of GH secretion in middle age men and women. It is clear that the reduction in GH is due to a low sensitivity of GH cells to GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) from brain. It is therefore necessary to understand the change of pituitary GH cells in obesity. A recently identified, fat cell secreted, polypeptide (leptin) is demonstrated to reduce food intake and increase energy expenditure. Receptors for leptin have been found in pituitary gland, mainly in GH secreting cells. In our preliminary experiments, leptin reduces GH secretion by decreasing GHRH receptor synthesis. Meanwhile, this leptin treatment increased the receptors for GH-releasing peptide (GHRP), a synthetic peptide stimulating GH secretion. We aim to investigate the effect of leptin on cultured ovine and human GH cells by studying important cell functions including hormone and receptors synthesis, intracellular signaling molecules, membrane ion channels and cellular secreting machinery. The results will clarify the mechanism underlying GH deficiency in obese patients. We will also test the effect of synthetic GHRP in combination with leptin in vitro. The relationship between GHRP and leptin on the functional modification of GH cells will also be studied. It is likely to see that GHRP reduces the inhibitory effect of leptin on GH cells. This may end up an effective therapeutical use of GHRP (oral available) in the treatment of obesity.Read moreRead less
This project is about the way that the brain controls reproduction. It is important because there is no known cause for infertility in a significant number people with such a problem. The project should inform us on new ways to manage particular forms of reproductive failure.
Gonadotropin Inhibitory Hormone (GnIH); A Negative Regulator Of Reproduction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$752,936.00
Summary
Gonadotropin inhibitory hormone (GnIH) is a short peptide of 8 amino acids that is produced by the brain and acts in a negative manner on brain and pituitary cells that control reproduction. This project aims to elucidate the role of GnIH in normal physiology and in states of stress and negative metabolic state. Work will be carried out in various species to define the function of the peptide and also to investigate ways that it can be utilised to prevent reproduction.