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Abstract
Classical morphological studies of the folliculo-stellate (FS) cells of the anterior
pituitary have suggested that these cells play roles as supporting cells, in metabolism
and in macromolecular transport. Over the last 10 years the details of their activity
in both trophic and catabolic processes has been clarified, and recent work has demonstrated
several transport systems in these cells. Various novel peptides with growth factor
or cytokine activity have been identified in FS cells and/or FS cell conditioned media.
These recent functional experiments confirm and extend previous morphological and
experimental studies, and in addition open new perspectives on the physiological roles
of FS cells.