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Isolation, Fixation, and Immunofluorescence Imaging of Mouse Adrenal Glands
08:37

Isolation, Fixation, and Immunofluorescence Imaging of Mouse Adrenal Glands

Published on: October 2, 2018

Effects of transforming growth factor-beta 1 on human adrenocortical fasciculata-reticularis cell differentiated

M C Lebrethon1, C Jaillard, D Naville

  • 1INSERM-INRA U-307, Hôpital Debrousse, Lyon, France.

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|October 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF beta 1) impacts human adrenal cells, altering specific steroidogenic enzyme mRNA levels and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate production. A local decrease in TGF beta 1 may be involved in adrenarche.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF beta 1) is known to inhibit adrenal cell function in various species.
  • Human adrenal fasciculata-reticularis cells' responses to TGF beta 1 require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of TGF beta 1 on cultured human fasciculata-reticularis cells.
  • To determine TGF beta 1's influence on specific gene expression and steroid hormone production.

Main Methods:

  • Cultured human adrenal fasciculata-reticularis cells were treated with TGF beta 1.
  • Messenger RNA (mRNA) levels for ACTH receptor, angiotensin-II type 1 receptor, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, cytochrome P-450 17 alpha-hydroxylase, and cholesterol side-chain cleavage cytochrome P-450 were analyzed.
  • Steroid production (cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) was measured.

Main Results:

  • TGF beta 1 did not affect ACTH receptor mRNA or ACTH-stimulated cortisol production.
  • TGF beta 1 increased angiotensin-II type 1 receptor mRNA and enhanced 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase mRNA levels.
  • TGF beta 1 decreased cytochrome P-450 17 alpha-hydroxylase mRNA and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate production.

Conclusions:

  • TGF beta 1 modulates specific gene expression and steroidogenesis in human adrenal cells.
  • The observed effects of TGF beta 1 are distinct from those seen during adrenarche, suggesting a potential role for local TGF beta 1 reduction in this process.
  • Species-specific differences in TGF beta 1 effects necessitate caution when extrapolating findings to humans.

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