Project description:To investigate the development of aldosterone-producing adenoma, we profiled cells of different areas of the adjacent adrenal cortex by snRNAseq to obtain possible trajectories towards adenoma formation.
Project description:Aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA) are heterogeneous. The objectives of this study were to compare the transcriptional profiles in APA and normal adjacent adrenal gland (AAG). This was done through the Illumina beadchip analysis of RNA from eight paired APA-AAG. Other tissues (phaeochromocytoma, cushing, and hyperplastic adrenals) were included as controls.
Project description:Transcriptome comparison of an aldosterone producing adenoma transcriptome and its adjacent zona glomerulosa. Both tissues are from the same individual, are differentiated for aldosterone production, but the adjacent zona glomerulosa produces no aldosterone by negative feedback. Keywords = aldosterone producing adenoma transcriptome Keywords: parallel sample
Project description:Transcriptome comparison of an aldosterone producing adenoma transcriptome and its adjacent zona glomerulosa. Both tissues are from the same individual, are differentiated for aldosterone production, but the adjacent zona glomerulosa produces no aldosterone by negative feedback. Keywords = aldosterone producing adenoma transcriptome Keywords: parallel sample
Project description:Primary aldosteronism is frequently caused by an adrenocortical aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) carrying a somatic mutation that drives aldosterone overproduction. APAs with a mutation in KCNJ5 (APA-KCNJ5MUT) are characterized by heterogeneous CYP11B2 (aldosterone synthase) expression, a particular cellular composition and larger tumor diameter than those with wild-type KCNJ5 (APA-KCNJ5WT). Here, we used spatial transcriptomics profiling of adrenal tissue cryosections to define the role of transcriptomic reprogramming in APA pathophysiology. Our findings advance the understanding of the transcriptional context of inter- and intra-tumoral APA heterogeneity and provide novel insight into the genotype-dependent tumor expansion capabilities of APAs.
Project description:The adrenal cortex is characterized by a distinct architecture as well as a high density of specialized sinusoidal blood vessels. The preservation of this particular endothelial cell phenotype is likely vital for proper adrenal gland function. The aldosterone-producing zona glomerulosa harbors macrophages in close association with sinusoidal capillaries. However, the function of this macrophage-endothelial cell-juxtaposition in steady-state conditions is unknown. We show that macrophages preserve capillary specialization in the adrenal gland and modulate aldosterone secretion. By combining macrophage-specific deletion of the angiogenic cytokine Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGF-A), single-cell transcriptomics and functional phenotyping, we provide evidence that loss of VEGF-A in myeloid cells, including adrenal gland macrophages depletes a specialized subset of PLVAP+ fenestrated endothelial cells in the zona glomerulosa of mice, along with increased deposition of basement membrane collagen IV and in
Project description:Pheochromocytoma (PCC) and abdominal paraganglioma (aPGL) (together abbreviated PPGL) frequently present with an underlying genetic event in a PPGL driver gene, and additional susceptibility genes are anticipated. Here we re-analysed whole-exome sequencing data for PCC patients, and identified two patients with very rare missense variants in the calcium voltage-gated channel subunit 1H gene (CACNA1H). CACNA1H variants were also found in the clinical setting in PCC patients using targeted sequencing and analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas database. In total, CACNA1H variants were found in 7 PCC cases. Four of these were constitutional and two are known to have functional consequences on hormone production and gene expression in primary aldosteronism and aldosterone-producing adrenocortical adenoma. In general, PPGL exhibited reduced CACNA1H mRNA expression as compared to normal adrenal. Immunohistochemistry showed strong CACNA1H (CaV3.2) staining in adrenal medulla while PPGL typically had weak staining or were negative. Furthermore, reduced CACNA1H gene expression was especially pronounced in PCC as compared to aPGL, in cases with normal norepinephrine levels and in PPGL with Cluster 2 kinase signalling phenotype. Moreover, TCGA data revealed a correlation between CACNA1H methylation density and gene expression. Expression of rCacna1h in PC12 cells induced differential protein expression profiles determined by mass spectrometry as well as a shift in the membrane potential where maximum calcium currents were observed as determined by electrophysiology. The findings add a possible novel genetic event to the growing palette of PPGL susceptibility genes and establish a potential link between the aetiology of adrenomedullary and adrenocortical tumor development.
Project description:The adrenal cortex is characterized by a distinct architecture as well as a high density of specialized sinusoidal blood vessels. The preservation of this particular endothelial cell phenotype is likely vital for proper adrenal gland function. The aldosterone-producing zona glomerulosa harbors macrophages in close association with sinusoidal capillaries. However, the function of this macrophage-endothelial cell-juxtaposition in steady-state conditions is unknown. We show that macrophages preserve capillary specialization in the adrenal gland and modulate aldosterone secretion. By combining macrophage-specific deletion of the angiogenic cytokine Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGF-A), single-cell transcriptomics and functional phenotyping, we provide evidence that loss of VEGF-A in myeloid cells, including adrenal gland macrophages depletes a specialized subset of PLVAP+ fenestrated endothelial cells in the zona glomerulosa of mice, along with increased deposition of basement membrane collagen IV and induction of sub-endothelial fibrosis.