Aging of the human adrenal cortex
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Updated: Oct 1, 2026

Establishment of Zone-Enriched Primary Cultures from the Mouse Adrenal Cortex
Published on: May 8, 2026
1Department of Physiology, Sam and Ann Barshop Center for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center, 15355 Lambda Drive STCBM 2.200, San Antonio, TX 78245, USA. hornsby@uthscsa.edu
Abstract:
The aging of the human adrenal cortex presents several problems of interest to the cell biologist, as the interplay of changes in growth, differentiation, apoptosis and cellular senescence affect the properties of the tissue over the life span. The human adrenal cortex also presents an interesting case of tumor progression, as nodules and adenomas are very common in aging, although carcinomas are rare. A specific puzzle for the gerontologist is the loss of biosynthesis of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate by the human adrenal cortex in aging. The reason for the development of a specific zone of DHEA-secreting cells, the zona reticularis, in childhood and the later involution of this zone is completely unknown. This review explores these issues, the underlying basic cell and molecular biology, and the techniques that can address these questions.
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