Correlation between Expression of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 and Pituitary Adenoma Subtypes

To investigate the correlation between signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) expression and pituitary adenoma subtypes.The STAT3 expression profiles in different pituitary adenomas from 74 patients were determined using quantificational real-time polymerase chain reaction,Western blot,and immunohistochemistry.Expression of STAT3 was observed in all pituitary adenoma subtypes. The STAT3 expression level was highest in growth hormone adenoma when compared with other tumors including prolactin,follicle-stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone-secreting adenoma,and adrenocorticotrophic hormone-secreting adenoma. The follicle-stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone adenomas exhibited the lowest STAT3 expression levels.STAT3 is differentially expressed in pituitary adenoma subtypes, suggesting the cell-specific features of STAT3 regulation,although further investigations are still warranted to clarify the underlying mechanisms.