A chromophobe cell is a

cell Cell most often refers to: * Cell (biology), the functional basic unit of life * Cellphone, a phone connected to a cellular network * Clandestine cell, a penetration-resistant form of a secret or outlawed organization * Electrochemical cell, a de ...

that does not

stain A stain is a discoloration that can be clearly distinguished from the surface, material, or medium it is found upon. They are caused by the chemical or physical interaction of two dissimilar materials. Accidental staining may make materials app ...

readily, and thus appears relatively pale under the microscope. It is contrasted with a chromophil cell that does stain easily. Chromophobe cells are one of three cell stain types present in the anterior and intermediate lobes of the

pituitary gland The pituitary gland or hypophysis is an endocrine gland in vertebrates. In humans, the pituitary gland is located at the base of the human brain, brain, protruding off the bottom of the hypothalamus. The pituitary gland and the hypothalamus contr ...

, the others being

basophilic Basophilic is a technical term used by pathologists. It describes the appearance of cells, tissues and cellular structures as seen through the microscope after a histological section has been stained with a basic dye. The most common such dye ...

and

acidophilic Acidophiles or acidophilic organisms are those that thrive under highly acidic conditions (usually at pH 5.0 or below). These organisms can be found in different branches of the tree of life, including Archaea, Bacteria,Becker, A.Types of Bacteri ...

. One type of chromophobe cell is known as amphophilic. Amphophils are epithelial cells found in the anterior and intermediate lobes of the pituitary. Together, these epithelial cells are responsible for producing the hormones of the anterior pituitary and releasing them into the bloodstream. Melanotrophs (also, Melanotropes) are another type of chromophobe which secrete

melanocyte-stimulating hormone The melanocyte-stimulating hormones, known collectively as MSH, also known as melanotropins or intermedins, are a family of peptide hormones and neuropeptides consisting of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), β-melanocyte-stimulating ...

(MSH).

Clinical significance

"Chromophobe" also refers to a type of

renal cell carcinoma Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a kidney cancer that originates in the lining of the Proximal tubule, proximal convoluted tubule, a part of the very small tubes in the kidney that transport primary urine. RCC is the most common type of kidney cance ...

(distinct from "clear cell"). Chromophobe renal cancer is part of a rare, genetic disorder known as Birt–Hogg–Dubé syndrome. While renal cell carcinoma is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers, chromophobe renal cancer only accounts for five percent of renal cancer cases. Furthermore, 30% of patients with Birt–Hogg–Dubé syndrome will also develop chromophobe renal cancer. One of the only treatments for this type of cancer is to have surgery to remove any tumors that may be present.Vera-Badillo, Francisco Emilio, Esther Conde, and Ignacio Duran. "Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Review of an Uncommon Entity." ''International Journal of Urology'' 19.10 (2012): 894-900. Web.

References

{{Authority control Staining