Endocrine Abstracts

The adrenal glands serve as central organs of the endocrine system by producing steroid hormone essential for organismal homeostasis. Mechanisms ensuring proper adrenal homeostasis and function are therefore crucial for maintaining human life. ACTH, released by the pituitary corticotrope, is required for the differentiation of the inner part of the adrenal cortex (the zona fasciculata) and the resultant stimulation of cortisol production. Perturbation of ACTH signaling can lea...

The adrenal cortex synthesizes glucocorticoids that are essential for metabolic homeostasis and modulation of immune responsiveness. Glucocorticoid-producing cells, located in the zona fasciculata (zF), constitute the critical effector of the HPA axis that serves to mediate the mammalian stress response. Dysregulation of glucocorticoid function results in significant morbidity with complete deficiency being incompatible with life. While the zF is composed of heterogenous cell ...

The adrenal gland produces corticosteroids essential for hydromineral and metabolic homeostasis. It is organised, in mice, in two concentric layers. The zona glomerulosa (zG) and fasciculate (zF), renewed from progenitors located in the capsular periphery. Centripetal renewal and maintenance of cortical zonation are dependant of a balance between WNT/β-catenin and ACTH/PKA signalling pathways. They provide recruitment and consecutive differentiation of progenitors into zG...