Single-cell transcriptome atlas of male mouse pituitary across postnatal life highlighting its stem cell landscape.

ABSTRACT: The pituitary represents the master gland governing the endocrine system. We constructed a single-cell (sc) transcriptomic atlas of male mouse endocrine pituitary by incorporating existing and new data, spanning important postnatal ages in both healthy and injured condition. We demonstrate strong applicability of this new atlas to unravel pituitary (patho)biology by focusing on its stem cells and investigating their complex identity (unveiling stem cell markers) and niche (pinpointing regulatory factors). Importantly, we functionally validated transcriptomic findings using pituitary stem cell organoids, revealing roles for Krüppel-like transcription factor 5 (KLF5), activator protein-1 (AP-1) complex and epidermal growth factor (EGF) pathways in pituitary stem cell regulation. Our investig

SUBMITTER: De Vriendt S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11787594 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature