The role of microRNAs in the pathogenesis of pituitary tumors

Pituitary tumors, the most common intracranial tumors, lead to serious morbidity through the inappropriate secretion of pituitary hormones. The anomalous expression of microRNAs (miRNAs), which have a crucial status in the development and function of pituitary gland, promotes the tumorigenesis of hypothalamic-pituitary axis-related pituitary tumors. This mainly leads to alterations in the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and hypothalamic-pituitary-growth hormone. In the tumorigenesis of pituitary tumors, miRNAs have complex roles. They can induce cell cycle arrest, inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis via different pathways; however, they also promote the occurrence of pituitary tumors through direct interactions with transcription factors. This review summarizes recent progress in the study of miRNAs on the pathogenesis of pituitary tumors.