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Bauer MB, Currie KPM. Serotonin and the serotonin transporter in the adrenal gland. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2023; 124:39-78. [PMID: 38408804 PMCID: PMC11217909 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
The adrenal glands are key components of the mammalian endocrine system, helping maintain physiological homeostasis and the coordinated response to stress. Each adrenal gland has two morphologically and functionally distinct regions, the outer cortex and inner medulla. The cortex is organized into three concentric zones which secrete steroid hormones, including aldosterone and cortisol. Neural crest-derived chromaffin cells in the medulla are innervated by preganglionic sympathetic neurons and secrete catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine) and neuropeptides into the bloodstream, thereby functioning as the neuroendocrine arm of the sympathetic nervous system. In this article we review serotonin (5-HT) and the serotonin transporter (SERT; SLC6A4) in the adrenal gland. In the adrenal cortex, 5-HT, primarily sourced from resident mast cells, acts as a paracrine signal to stimulate aldosterone and cortisol secretion through 5-HT4/5-HT7 receptors. Medullary chromaffin cells contain a small amount of 5-HT due to SERT-mediated uptake and express 5-HT1A receptors which inhibit secretion. The atypical mechanism of the 5-HT1A receptors and interaction with SERT fine tune this autocrine pathway to control stress-evoked catecholamine secretion. Receptor-independent signaling by SERT/intracellular 5-HT modulates the amount and kinetics of transmitter release from single vesicle fusion events. SERT might also influence stress-evoked upregulation of tyrosine hydroxylase transcription. Transient signaling via 5-HT3 receptors during embryonic development can limit the number of chromaffin cells found in the mature adrenal gland. Together, this emerging evidence suggests that the adrenal medulla is a peripheral hub for serotonergic control of the sympathoadrenal stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Beth Bauer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, South Broadway, Camden, NJ, United States
| | - Kevin P M Currie
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, South Broadway, Camden, NJ, United States.
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Yi Z, Waseem Ghani M, Ghani H, Jiang W, Waseem Birmani M, Ye L, Bin L, Cun LG, Lilong A, Mei X. Gimmicks of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in pancreatic β-cell regeneration through transdifferentiation of pancreatic α- to β-cells. Cell Biol Int 2020; 44:926-936. [PMID: 31903671 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.11302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In vivo regeneration of lost or dysfunctional islet β cells can fulfill the promise of improved therapy for diabetic patients. To achieve this, many mitogenic factors have been attempted, including gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA remarkably affects pancreatic islet cells' (α cells and β cells) function through paracrine and/or autocrine binding to its membrane receptors on these cells. GABA has also been studied for promoting the transformation of α cells to β cells. Nonetheless, the gimmickry of GABA-induced α-cell transformation to β cells has two different perspectives. On the one hand, GABA was found to induce α-cell transformation to β cells in vivo and insulin-secreting β-like cells in vitro. On the other hand, GABA treatment showed that it has no α- to β-cell transformation response. Here, we will summarize the physiological effects of GABA on pancreatic islet β cells with an emphasis on its regenerative effects for transdifferentiation of islet α cells to β cells. We will also critically discuss the controversial results about GABA-mediated transdifferentiation of α cells to β cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Yi
- Department of Animal Science and Medicine, Agricultural College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524088, China.,Department of Animal Breeding, Genetics and Reproduction, Agricultural Collage, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524088, China
| | - Muhammad Waseem Ghani
- Department of Animal Science and Medicine, Agricultural College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524088, China.,Department of Animal Breeding, Genetics and Reproduction, Agricultural Collage, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524088, China
| | - Hammad Ghani
- Nawaz Sharif Medical College, University of Gujrat, Punjab, 50180, Pakistan
| | - Wu Jiang
- Department of Animal Science and Medicine, Agricultural College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524088, China.,Department of Animal Breeding, Genetics and Reproduction, Agricultural Collage, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524088, China
| | - Muhammad Waseem Birmani
- Department of Animal Science and Medicine, Agricultural College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524088, China
| | - Li Ye
- Department of Animal Science and Medicine, Agricultural College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524088, China.,Department of Animal Breeding, Genetics and Reproduction, Agricultural Collage, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524088, China
| | - Liu Bin
- Department of Animal Science and Medicine, Agricultural College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524088, China.,Department of Animal Breeding, Genetics and Reproduction, Agricultural Collage, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524088, China
| | - Lang Guan Cun
- Department of Animal Science and Medicine, Agricultural College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524088, China.,Department of Animal Breeding, Genetics and Reproduction, Agricultural Collage, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524088, China
| | - An Lilong
- Department of Animal Science and Medicine, Agricultural College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524088, China
| | - Xiao Mei
- Department of Animal Science and Medicine, Agricultural College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524088, China.,Department of Animal Breeding, Genetics and Reproduction, Agricultural Collage, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524088, China
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Peeters B, Güiza F, Boonen E, Meersseman P, Langouche L, Van den Berghe G. Drug-induced HPA axis alterations during acute critical illness: a multivariable association study. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2017; 86:26-36. [PMID: 27422812 DOI: 10.1111/cen.13155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Revised: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Critical illness is hallmarked by low plasma ACTH in the face of high plasma cortisol. We hypothesized that frequently used drugs could play a role by affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. DESIGN Observational association study. PATIENTS A total of 156 medical-surgical critically ill patients. MEASUREMENTS Plasma concentrations of ACTH and total/free cortisol were quantified upon ICU admission and throughout the first 3 ICU days. The independent associations between drugs administered 24 h prior to ICU admission and plasma ACTH and cortisol concentrations upon ICU admission were quantified with use of multivariable linear regression analyses. RESULTS Upon ICU admission, compared with healthy subjects, patients had low mean±SEM plasma ACTH concentrations (2·7 ± 0·6 pmol/l vs 9·0 ± 1·6 pmol/l, P < 0·0001) in the face of unaltered total plasma cortisol (336·7 ± 30·4 nmol/l vs 300·8 ± 16·6 nmol/l, P = 0·3) and elevated free plasma cortisol concentrations (41·4 ± 5·5 nmol/l vs 5·5 ± 0·8 nmol/l, P = 0·04). Plasma ACTH concentrations remained low (P < 0·001) until day 3, whereas plasma (free) cortisol concentrations steeply increased and remained high (P < 0·001). No independent correlations with plasma ACTH were found. In contrast, the total admission plasma cortisol concentration was independently and negatively associated with the cumulative opioid (P = 0·001) and propofol (P = 0·02) dose, the use of etomidate (P = 0·03), and positively with the cumulative dobutamine dose (P = 0·0007). CONCLUSIONS Besides the known suppressive effect of etomidate, opioids and propofol may also suppress and dobutamine increases plasma cortisol in a dose-dependent manner. The observed independent associations suggest drug effects not mediated centrally via ACTH, but rather peripherally by a direct or indirect action on the adrenal cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bram Peeters
- Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Fabian Güiza
- Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Eva Boonen
- Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philippe Meersseman
- Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Department of General Internal Medicine, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lies Langouche
- Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Greet Van den Berghe
- Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Gong P, Hong H, Perkins EJ. Ionotropic GABA receptor antagonism-induced adverse outcome pathways for potential neurotoxicity biomarkers. Biomark Med 2015; 9:1225-39. [PMID: 26508561 DOI: 10.2217/bmm.15.58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Antagonism of ionotropic GABA receptors (iGABARs) can occur at three distinct types of receptor binding sites causing chemically induced epileptic seizures. Here we review three adverse outcome pathways, each characterized by a specific molecular initiating event where an antagonist competitively binds to active sites, negatively modulates allosteric sites or noncompetitively blocks ion channel on the iGABAR. This leads to decreased chloride conductance, followed by depolarization of affected neurons, epilepsy-related death and ultimately decreased population. Supporting evidence for causal linkages from the molecular to population levels is presented and differential sensitivity to iGABAR antagonists in different GABA receptors and organisms discussed. Adverse outcome pathways are poised to become important tools for linking mechanism-based biomarkers to regulated outcomes in next-generation risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Gong
- Environmental Laboratory, US Army Engineer Research & Development Center, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180, USA
| | - Huixiao Hong
- Division of Bioinformatics & Biostatistics, National Center for Toxicological Research, US Food & Drug Administration, 3900 NCTR Road, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| | - Edward J Perkins
- Environmental Laboratory, US Army Engineer Research & Development Center, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180, USA
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Domestication Effects on Stress Induced Steroid Secretion and Adrenal Gene Expression in Chickens. Sci Rep 2015; 5:15345. [PMID: 26471470 PMCID: PMC4608001 DOI: 10.1038/srep15345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the genetic basis of phenotypic diversity is a challenge in contemporary biology. Domestication provides a model for unravelling aspects of the genetic basis of stress sensitivity. The ancestral Red Junglefowl (RJF) exhibits greater fear-related behaviour and a more pronounced HPA-axis reactivity than its domesticated counterpart, the White Leghorn (WL). By comparing hormones (plasmatic) and adrenal global gene transcription profiles between WL and RJF in response to an acute stress event, we investigated the molecular basis for the altered physiological stress responsiveness in domesticated chickens. Basal levels of pregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone as well as corticosterone response were lower in WL. Microarray analysis of gene expression in adrenal glands showed a significant breed effect in a large number of transcripts with over-representation of genes in the channel activity pathway. The expression of the best-known steroidogenesis genes were similar across the breeds used. Transcription levels of acute stress response genes such as StAR, CH25 and POMC were upregulated in response to acute stress. Dampened HPA reactivity in domesticated chickens was associated with changes in the expression of several genes that presents potentially minor regulatory effects rather than by means of change in expression of critical steroidogenic genes in the adrenal.
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Elnasharty MA, Sayed-Ahmed A. Expression and localization of pChAT as a novel method to study cholinergic innervation of rat adrenal gland. Acta Histochem 2014; 116:1382-9. [PMID: 25239149 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2014.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2014] [Revised: 08/30/2014] [Accepted: 08/31/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Cholinergic innervation of the rat adrenal gland has been analyzed previously using cholinergic markers including acetylcholinesterase (AChE), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT). In the present study, we demonstrate putative cholinergic neurons in the rat adrenal gland using an antibody to pChAT, which is the product of a splice variant of ChAT mRNA that is preferentially localized in peripheral cholinergic nerves. Most of the ganglionic neurons as well as small single sporadic neurons in the adrenal gland were stained intensely for pChAT. The density of pChAT-immunoreactive (IR) fibers was distinct in the adrenal cortex and medulla. AChE-, cChAT- and VAChT-immunoreactivities were also observed in some cells and fibers of the adrenal medulla, while the cortex had few positive nerve fibers. These results indicate that ganglionic neurons of the adrenal medulla and nerve fibers heterogeneously express cholinergic markers, especially pChAT. Furthermore, the innervation of the adrenal gland, cortex and medulla, by some cholinergic fibers provides additional morphological evidence for a significant role of cholinergic mechanisms in adrenal gland functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A Elnasharty
- Department of Histology and Cytology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Sayed-Ahmed
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt.
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