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Published on: September 28, 2015
Angiotensin increases aldosterone synthase mRNA levels in human NCI-H295 cells
O B Holland1, J M Mathis, I M Bird
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston 77555-1060.
Abstract:
Understanding the regulation of aldosterone secretion has been hampered by the lack of a cell culture system that remains chronically responsive to angiotensin stimulation. NCI-H295 cells, cultured from a human adrenocortical tumor, express the three major pathways of adrenal steroidogenesis and produce small amounts of aldosterone during basal culture. We have determined changes in aldosterone production and in aldosterone synthase (AS, P45011B2) mRNA levels in these cells in response to angiotensin II (AII) and forskolin. Culture of NCI-H295 cells with 10(-7) M AII or with 10(-5) M forskolin stimulated aldosterone production and increased AS mRNA levels, though the effect of AII was greater. When cells were cultured with increasing concentrations of AII from 10(-11) through 10(-8) M, a dose-dependent increase in AS mRNA levels paralleled increases in aldosterone production. In view of these findings, these human adrenocortical cells should be useful for exploring mechanisms regulating aldosterone production.
Insights
Human adrenocortical NCI-H295 cells respond to angiotensin II stimulation, increasing aldosterone production and aldosterone synthase mRNA. This cell model is valuable for studying aldosterone secretion regulation.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Aldosterone secretion regulation is crucial for blood pressure control.
- A lack of chronically responsive cell culture models has hindered research.
- Human adrenocortical tumor cells (NCI-H295) express key steroidogenic pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate NCI-H295 cells as a model for studying aldosterone regulation.
- To determine the effect of angiotensin II and forskolin on aldosterone production and aldosterone synthase (AS) mRNA levels.
Main Methods:
- NCI-H295 cells were cultured and treated with varying concentrations of angiotensin II (AII) and forskolin.
- Aldosterone production was measured.
- Aldosterone synthase (AS, P45011B2) mRNA levels were quantified.
Main Results:
- Both AII and forskolin stimulated aldosterone production and increased AS mRNA levels in NCI-H295 cells.
- Angiotensin II demonstrated a greater effect than forskolin.
- A dose-dependent increase in AS mRNA levels was observed with increasing AII concentrations, paralleling aldosterone production.
Conclusions:
- NCI-H295 cells provide a valuable human cell culture model for investigating the mechanisms of aldosterone secretion.
- This model system is responsive to chronic angiotensin II stimulation, addressing a previous research limitation.
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