Pituitary dendritic cells communicate immune pathogenic signals.

•The pituitary contains resident non-lymphoid dendritic cells (DC’s).•LPS challenge causes pituitary DC’s to secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines.•Pituitary DC cytokines activate the release of GCs from the adrenals via ACTH.•Pituitary DC’s express annexin A1, indicating a role in attenuating the GC response.•Pituitary DC’s are an immune sentinel for initial shaping of the immune response.