Expression of inflammatory-related factors in porcine anterior pituitary-derived cell line

Recent studies have shown that undifferentiated stem cells act as immunomodulators. To investigate the immunomodulatory function of the progenitor cells of the anterior pituitary gland, we attempted to establish a stem/progenitor cell line from the porcine anterior pituitary gland, and to detail its inflammatory cytokine expression. A cloned cell line from the porcine anterior pituitary gland was established and was designated as the porcine anterior pituitary-derived cell line (PAPC). PAPC expressed the mRNA of Nanog and Oct-4, and showed positive immunoreactivity for β-catenin and Hes1 in its nucleus. PAPC grew stably by repeated passage and rapidly in the EGF and bFGF containing medium. RT-PCR showed that PAPC expressed mRNA of IL-1α, IL-6, IL-12, IL-15, IL-18 and TLR4. PAPC expressed S100α and IL-18 protein, which was localized in the marginal epithelial cells of Rathke's pouch. These results suggest that PAPC is a stem/progenitor cell and may regulate anterior pituitary cell function through an immuno-endocrine pathway.