Endocrine cell

An endocrine cell releases hormones or other signaling molecules into the bloodstream or surrounding tissue, regulating bodily functions locally or throughout the body.

Hormone secretion: The regulated release of hormones from cells into blood or extracellular fluid. It is the process by which endocrine cells send their signals beyond the cell.
Cell signaling: The processes by which cells detect, transmit, and respond to information. Endocrine cells are specialized participants in cellular communication.
Beta cell: A pancreatic islet cell that produces and secretes insulin. Beta cells are a well-studied example of endocrine cells whose output controls blood glucose.
Endocrine system: A network of glands and hormone-producing cells that regulates bodily functions through chemical signals. Endocrine cells are the signal-producing units distributed across this system.
Exocytosis: A cellular process that releases substances when membrane-bound vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane. Many endocrine cells use vesicle fusion to release stored peptide hormones.
Gene expression: The use of genetic information to produce functional RNA or proteins. Distinct gene-expression programs give endocrine cell types their characteristic hormones and receptors.
Alpha cell: A pancreatic islet cell that produces and secretes glucagon. Alpha cells counterbalance insulin by signaling the liver to raise blood glucose.
Endocrine gland: An organ or tissue that secretes hormones into circulation or surrounding fluid. Many endocrine cells are organized into glands, though some occur within other tissues.
Steroid hormone: A hormone derived from cholesterol that can pass through cell membranes and bind intracellular receptors. Steroid-producing endocrine cells typically synthesize these hormones on demand rather than storing them in vesicles.
Peptide hormone: A hormone made of amino acids, generally synthesized as a precursor and stored in secretory vesicles. Many endocrine cells specialize in producing and releasing peptide hormones.

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Acinar cellsCompared with: Unlike acinar cells, endocrine cells typically secrete without a duct-connected lumen.