Do human vascular endothelial cells produce aldosterone?

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Vascular Biology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Extraadrenal aldosterone production, particularly in vascular endothelial cells, has been suggested.
• Previous reports indicated human endothelial cells synthesize aldosterone, regulated by angiotensin II.
• Discrepancies exist regarding the efficiency and rate of this purported endothelial aldosterone production compared to adrenal cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence of aldosterone biosynthesis and aldosterone synthase gene expression in human endothelial cells.
• To clarify the discrepancies in previous findings regarding extraadrenal aldosterone production in vascular endothelium.

Main Methods:

• Utilized three human endothelial cell lines (umbilical vein and pulmonary artery).
• Employed a sensitive ELISA method to detect aldosterone production after stimulation with angiotensin II, ACTH, and K(+), with and without deoxycorticosterone.
• Applied RT-PCR to detect the mRNA for the aldosterone synthase gene.

Main Results:

• Failed to detect mRNA for the aldosterone synthase gene in any of the tested human endothelial cell lines.
• Did not demonstrate evidence of aldosterone biosynthesis in these cells under the tested conditions.
• Results contradict previous reports suggesting aldosterone production by human vascular endothelial cells.

Conclusions:

• Human endothelial cells do not appear to express the aldosterone synthase gene.
• Aldosterone biosynthesis could not be demonstrated in human endothelial cells.
• These findings do not support the hypothesis of significant extraadrenal aldosterone production in human vascular endothelium.