Endocrine Abstracts

The zonation of the human adrenal cortex has long been established morphologically and histologically as three distinct layers of cells. The outer zona glomerulosa (ZG) comprises densely packed cells arranged in clusters that produce aldosterone; the zona fasciculata (ZF) is composed of cells with large cytoplasm, containing lipid droplets arranged in radial columns that synthetize cortisol; and the zona reticularis is composed of compact and pigmented cells producing androgen...

Illegitimate membrane receptors are known to play a role in cortisol secretion in adrenal adenomas and ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH) causing Cushing’s syndrome. Conversely, illegitimate receptors have never been described in primary pigmented nodular adrenal disease (PPNAD). In the normal adrenal gland, serotonin (5-HT) has been shown to stimulate cortisol secretion through activation of 5-HT receptor type 4 (5-HT4) whereas, in some AIMAH tissu...

Illicit expression of membrane receptors for circulating regulatory factors, such as GIP and LH receptors, has been well documented in ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasias (AIMAHs) causing Cushing’s syndrome. In addition, we have observed an abnormal expression of serotonin, arginine vasopressin and ACTH in a subpopulation of steroidogenic cells in two AIMAH tissues. The aim of the present study was: (i) to investigate the presence of ACTH by immunohistochem...

We have shown that 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor type 4 (5-HT4R) agonists stimulate aldosterone production in patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA). Moreover, 5-HT-positive cells were observed in APA tissues and 5-HT4R mRNAs were markedly overexpressed in APAs in comparison with normal adrenals. All these results suggested that 5-HT produced by adrenal mast cells could be involved in the physiopathology of APAs. The aim of this work was to investigate the rol...

A 48-year-old woman was referred for ACTH-independent Cushing’s syndrome associated with a left adrenal tumor. Contrasting with hypercortisolism-related hypertension and hypokalemia, renin and aldosterone levels were paradoxically increased. The tumor was surgically removed and pathological examination of the tissue established the diagnosis of corticosurrenaloma. Fragments of the tumor were obtained for in situ hybridization, immunohistochemical and cell incubatio...

Pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas (PPGL) are catecholamine-producing neuroendocrine tumors that account for less than 1% of all hypertension cases. Despite their rarity, these tumors must be early detected and treated to prevent potentially life-threatening adrenergic crises. Unfortunately, PPGL are frequently unrecognized during pregnancy, leading to a high risk of either maternal or fetal complications. In return, pregnancy can trigger catecholamine secretory discharges in pa...

In the human adrenal gland, serotonin (5-HT), released by subcapsular mast cells stimulates corticosteroid secretion through activation of type 4 serotonin receptors (5-HT4R) positively coupled to cAMP/proteine kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway and calcium influx. The 5-HT4R is principally expressed in zona glomerulosa cells explaining why 5-HT strongly stimulates aldosterone production but only exerts a modest stimulatory action on cortisol. Interestingly, in primary pigmented...

In human adrenals, serotonin (5-HT), released by subcapsular mast cells, increases aldosterone secretion through activation of type 4 serotonin receptors (5-HT4R) but only exerts a modest control on cortisol production. Interestingly, illicit synthesis of 5-HT in adrenocortical cells as well as overexpression of the 5-HT4R and ectopic expression of the type 7 receptor (5-HT7R) have been observed in bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia res...

Introduction: Aberrant expression of serotonin receptors has been described to be involved in the pathophysiology of both aldosterone-producing and cortisol-producing adrenal adenomas.Case report: A 46-year-old woman was referred for evaluation of severe hypertension associated with hypokalaemia. Primary aldosteronism with concurrent subclinical Cushing’s syndrome was diagnosed. A CT-scan identified a lesion of 4 cm in the right adrenal gland and a ...

Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGL) are catecholamine-producing neuroendocrine tumors that display the highest heritability rate among all human tumors. Genomic analyses revealed the existence of 2 main clusters of PPGL, i.e. cluster 1 containing SDHx- and VHL-mutated tumors which do not produce epinephrine, and cluster 2 including epinephrine-secreting PPGL related to RET, NF1, TMEM127 and MAX mutations. Early diagnosis and treatment of PPGL is crucial to prevent adre...