Targeting of transforming growth factor-alpha expression to pituitary lactotrophs in transgenic mice results in selective lactotroph proliferation and adenomas.

Abstract excerpt

The PRL-secreting cells of the pituitary gland normally express transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF alpha). To determine the effect of increasing TGF alpha expression in the pituitary, a transgenic mouse model was created in which overexpression of human TGF alpha was directed to the pituitary lactotrophs using the rat PRL promoter. Of the four gene-positive mouse lines, two expressed the messenger RNA...