Endocrine Gland Development and Disease

Series Page

Contributors

Preface

Chapter One. Pituitary Gland Development and Disease: From Stem Cell to Hormone Production

Abstract

1 Introduction

2 Regulating the Pituitary Organizer and the Growth and Shape of Rathke’s Pouch

3 Activities of Signaling Pathways Intrinsic to Rathke’s Pouch

4 The Role of Signature Transcription Factors in Cell Specification

5 Early-Acting Transcription Factors

6 Emerging Roles for Additional Transcription Factor Families: The Forkheads

7 Pituitary Progenitors: Stem Cells and the Niche

8 Cell Cycle Regulation

9 Vascularization and the Hypophyseal Portal System

10 Conclusion

References

Chapter Two. Development of the Medial Hypothalamus: Forming a Functional Hypothalamic-Neurohypophyseal Interface

Abstract

Abbreviations

1 Introduction

2 Architecture of the Adult Medial Hypothalamus

3 Establishing the Medial Hypothalamus

4 Signaling Ligands in Induction and Regionalization

5 Neuronal Differentiation in the Medial Hypothalamus

6 Establishment of Interfaces

7 Concluding Remarks

Acknowledgments

References

Chapter Three. Mammalian Sex Determination and Gonad Development

Abstract

1 Introduction

2 Development of the Bipotential Genital Ridge

3 Primordial Germ Cells

4 Let Us Get It on: Activation of the Testis Differentiation Pathway

5 Staying Turned on: Activation and Maintenance of Sox9

6 Ovary Differentiation

7 Molecular Genetics of Ovarian Development

8 Mutual Antagonism

9 Conclusions and Future Perspectives

References

Chapter Four. Mechanisms of Thyroid Development and Dysgenesis: An Analysis Based on Developmental Stages and Concurrent Embryonic Anatomy

Abstract

1 Introduction

2 Anatomy and Phylogenic Aspects of Thyroid Development

3 Thyroid Organogenesis and Spectrum of Developmental Defects in Human

4 Thyroid Specification and Determination: Agenesis Versus Athyreosis

5 Embryonic Thyroid Growth: Hypoplasia and Hemiagenesis

6 Defective Thyroid Migration: Ectopic Gland

7 Folliculogenesis and Thyroid Differentiation

8 Embryonic Origin of Thyroid C Cells: An Unresolved Issue

9 Concluding Remarks

Acknowledgments

References

Chapter Five. The Pineal Gland from Development to Function

Abstract

1 Function of the Pineal Gland

2 Cellular Composition of the Pineal Gland

3 Organogenesis of the Pineal Gland, Production of Accessory Organs

4 Development of the Pineal Gland

5 Physiological Roles of Melatonin

6 Pathological Dysregulation of Melatonin Synthesis/Signaling

7 Conclusion

Acknowledgments

References

Chapter Six. From Pancreas Morphogenesis to β-Cell Regeneration

Abstract

1 Anatomy of the Pancreas

2 Diabetes

3 Pancreatic Morphogenesis

4 The Endocrine Differentiation Program

5 Regenerative Medicine

Acknowledgments

References

Chapter Seven. Adrenocortical Development, Maintenance, and Disease

Abstract

1 Introduction

2 The Adrenal Gland: Structure and Function

3 Adrenal Development

4 Theories of Growth and Zonation

5 Factors Involved in Adrenal Development

6 Signaling Pathways Involved in Adrenal Development

7 Models of Development

8 Control of Postnatal Growth, Zonation, and Remodeling

9 Diseases of the Adrenal Cortex

10 Summary

References

Index