[From neuroendocrinology to cell biology: Andrée Tixier-Vidal].

Abstract

This article relates the life, career and main scientific achievements of a pioneer in neuroendocrinology and French cell biology research, Mrs Andrée Tixier-Vidal, who passed away in December 2021. After her first works on hypophyseal-thyroid neuroendocrine axis, in birds then in mammals, Andrée Tixier-Vidal devoted herself then her group at the College of France to the histophysiological study of adenohypophysis and namely of prolactin (PRL) cells. Using in vitro models of organotypic cultures and cultures of GH3 cells, she described up to ultrastructural level the secretory process of PRL and its regulation by TRH. Furthermore, she extended her study to the TRH neurons themselves thanks to original models of in vitro cultures of hypothalamic neurons. Her fundamental and methodological achievements have largely contributed to major knowledge advances in cell biology of the secretion during the last century.