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Fan Z, Karakone M, Nagarajan S, Nagy N, Mildenberger W, Petrova E, Hinte LC, Bijnen M, Häne P, Nelius E, Chen J, Ferapontova I, von Meyenn F, Trepiccione F, Berber M, Ribas DP, Eichmann A, Zennaro MC, Takeda N, Fischer JW, Spyroglou A, Reincke M, Beuschlein F, Loffing J, Greter M, Stockmann C. Macrophages preserve endothelial cell specialization in the adrenal gland to modulate aldosterone secretion and blood pressure. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114395. [PMID: 38941187 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Macrophages play crucial roles in organ-specific functions and homeostasis. In the adrenal gland, macrophages closely associate with sinusoidal capillaries in the aldosterone-producing zona glomerulosa. We demonstrate that macrophages preserve capillary specialization and modulate aldosterone secretion. Using macrophage-specific deletion of VEGF-A, single-cell transcriptomics, and functional phenotyping, we found that the loss of VEGF-A depletes PLVAP+ fenestrated endothelial cells in the zona glomerulosa, leading to increased basement membrane collagen IV deposition and subendothelial fibrosis. This results in increased aldosterone secretion, called "haptosecretagogue" signaling. Human aldosterone-producing adenomas also show capillary rarefaction and basement membrane thickening. Mice with myeloid cell-specific VEGF-A deletion exhibit elevated serum aldosterone, hypokalemia, and hypertension, mimicking primary aldosteronism. These findings underscore macrophage-to-endothelial cell signaling as essential for endothelial cell specialization, adrenal gland function, and blood pressure regulation, with broader implications for other endocrine organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Fan
- University of Zurich, Institute of Anatomy, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Mara Karakone
- University of Zurich, Institute of Anatomy, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Nadine Nagy
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Wiebke Mildenberger
- University of Zurich, Institute for Experimental Immunology, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ekaterina Petrova
- University of Zurich, Institute for Experimental Immunology, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Laura Catharina Hinte
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolic Epigenetics, Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mitchell Bijnen
- University of Zurich, Institute for Experimental Immunology, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Häne
- University of Zurich, Institute for Experimental Immunology, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eric Nelius
- University of Zurich, Institute of Anatomy, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jing Chen
- University of Zurich, Institute of Anatomy, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Irina Ferapontova
- University of Zurich, Institute of Anatomy, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ferdinand von Meyenn
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolic Epigenetics, Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Trepiccione
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Mesut Berber
- University of Zurich, Institute of Anatomy, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - David Penton Ribas
- Electrophysiology Facility (e-phac), Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich (UZH), 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Anne Eichmann
- Cardiovascular Research Center and Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Norihiko Takeda
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jens W Fischer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ariadni Spyroglou
- Klinik für Endokrinologie, Diabetologie, und Klinische Ernährung, UniversitätsSpital Zürich (USZ) and UZH, Raemistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland; Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Reincke
- Klinik für Endokrinologie, Diabetologie, und Klinische Ernährung, UniversitätsSpital Zürich (USZ) and UZH, Raemistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Felix Beuschlein
- Klinik für Endokrinologie, Diabetologie, und Klinische Ernährung, UniversitätsSpital Zürich (USZ) and UZH, Raemistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland; Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Johannes Loffing
- University of Zurich, Institute of Anatomy, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Melanie Greter
- University of Zurich, Institute for Experimental Immunology, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christian Stockmann
- University of Zurich, Institute of Anatomy, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; INSERM U970, Paris Cardiovascular Research Center, Paris, France.
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del Valle I, Young MD, Kildisiute G, Ogunbiyi OK, Buonocore F, Simcock IC, Khabirova E, Crespo B, Moreno N, Brooks T, Niola P, Swarbrick K, Suntharalingham JP, McGlacken-Byrne SM, Arthurs OJ, Behjati S, Achermann JC. An integrated single-cell analysis of human adrenal cortex development. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e168177. [PMID: 37440461 PMCID: PMC10443814 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.168177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The adrenal glands synthesize and release essential steroid hormones such as cortisol and aldosterone, but many aspects of human adrenal gland development are not well understood. Here, we combined single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, IHC, and micro-focus computed tomography to investigate key aspects of adrenal development in the first 20 weeks of gestation. We demonstrate rapid adrenal growth and vascularization, with more cell division in the outer definitive zone (DZ). Steroidogenic pathways favored androgen synthesis in the central fetal zone, but DZ capacity to synthesize cortisol and aldosterone developed with time. Core transcriptional regulators were identified, with localized expression of HOPX (also known as Hop homeobox/homeobox-only protein) in the DZ. Potential ligand-receptor interactions between mesenchyme and adrenal cortex were seen (e.g., RSPO3/LGR4). Growth-promoting imprinted genes were enriched in the developing cortex (e.g., IGF2, PEG3). These findings reveal aspects of human adrenal development and have clinical implications for understanding primary adrenal insufficiency and related postnatal adrenal disorders, such as adrenal tumor development, steroid disorders, and neonatal stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio del Valle
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Research and Teaching Department, University College London (UCL) Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew D. Young
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Gerda Kildisiute
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Olumide K. Ogunbiyi
- Department of Histopathology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, United Kingdom
| | - Federica Buonocore
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Research and Teaching Department, University College London (UCL) Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ian C. Simcock
- Department of Clinical Radiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Great Ormond Street Biomedical Research Centre, London, United Kingdom
- Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eleonora Khabirova
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Berta Crespo
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nadjeda Moreno
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tony Brooks
- UCL Genomics, Zayed Centre for Research, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paola Niola
- UCL Genomics, Zayed Centre for Research, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine Swarbrick
- Department of Histopathology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jenifer P. Suntharalingham
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Research and Teaching Department, University College London (UCL) Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sinead M. McGlacken-Byrne
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Research and Teaching Department, University College London (UCL) Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, United Kingdom
| | - Owen J. Arthurs
- Department of Clinical Radiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Great Ormond Street Biomedical Research Centre, London, United Kingdom
- Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sam Behjati
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - John C. Achermann
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Research and Teaching Department, University College London (UCL) Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, United Kingdom
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The Characteristics of Tumor Microenvironment Predict Survival and Response to Immunotherapy in Adrenocortical Carcinomas. Cells 2023; 12:cells12050755. [PMID: 36899891 PMCID: PMC10000893 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence confirms that tumor microenvironment (TME) can influence tumor progression and treatment, but TME is still understudied in adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). In this study, we first scored TME using the xCell algorithm, then defined genes associated with TME, and then used consensus unsupervised clustering analysis to construct TME-related subtypes. Meanwhile, weighted gene co-expression network analysis was used to identify modules correlated with TME-related subtypes. Ultimately, the LASSO-Cox approach was used to establish a TME-related signature. The results showed that TME-related scores in ACC may not correlate with clinical features but do promote a better overall survival. Patients were classified into two TME-related subtypes. Subtype 2 had more immune signaling features, higher expression of immune checkpoints and MHC molecules, no CTNNB1 mutations, higher infiltration of macrophages and endothelial cells, lower tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion scores, and higher immunophenoscore, suggesting that subtype 2 may be more sensitive to immunotherapy. 231 modular genes highly relevant to TME-related subtypes were identified, and a 7-gene TME-related signature that independently predicted patient prognosis was established. Our study revealed an integrated role of TME in ACC and helped to identify those patients who really responded to immunotherapy, while providing new strategies on risk management and prognosis prediction.
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Oliveira S, Pereira SS, Costa MM, Monteiro MP, Pignatelli D. Ang-Tie Angiogenic Pathway Is Distinctively Expressed in Benign and Malignant Adrenocortical Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105579. [PMID: 35628389 PMCID: PMC9146687 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The differential diagnosis between adrenocortical adenomas (ACAs) and adrenocortical carcinomas (ACCs) relies on unspecific clinical, imaging and histological features, and, so far, no single molecular biomarker has proved to improve diagnostic accuracy. Similarly, prognostic factors have an insufficient capacity to predict the heterogeneity of ACC clinical outcomes, which consequently lead to inadequate treatment strategies. Angiogenesis is a biological process regulated by multiple signaling pathways, including VEGF and the Ang–Tie pathway. Many studies have stressed the importance of angiogenesis in cancer development and metastasis. In the present study, we evaluated the expression of VEGF and Ang–Tie pathway mediators in adrenocortical tumors (ACTs), with the ultimate goal of assessing whether these molecules could be useful biomarkers to improve diagnostic accuracy and/or prognosis prediction in ACC. The expression of the proteins involved in angiogenesis, namely CD34, VEGF, VEGF-R2, Ang1, Ang2, Tie1 and Tie2, was assessed by immunohistochemistry in ACC (n = 22), ACA with Cushing syndrome (n = 8) and non-functioning ACA (n = 13). ACC presented a significantly higher Ang1 and Ang2 expression when compared to ACA. Tie1 expression was higher in ACC with venous invasion and in patients with shorter overall survival. In conclusion, although none of these biomarkers showed to be useful for ACT diagnosis, the Ang–Tie pathway is active in ACT and may play a role in regulating ACT angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Oliveira
- UMIB–Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ICBAS–Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (S.O.); (M.M.C.); (M.P.M.)
| | - Sofia S. Pereira
- UMIB–Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ICBAS–Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (S.O.); (M.M.C.); (M.P.M.)
- ITR–Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-220-428-106
| | - Madalena M. Costa
- UMIB–Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ICBAS–Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (S.O.); (M.M.C.); (M.P.M.)
- ITR–Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
| | - Mariana P. Monteiro
- UMIB–Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ICBAS–Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (S.O.); (M.M.C.); (M.P.M.)
- ITR–Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
| | - Duarte Pignatelli
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (I3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal;
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology (IPATIMUP), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital S. João, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
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Abdellatif AB, Fernandes-Rosa FL, Boulkroun S, Zennaro MC. Vascular and hormonal interactions in the adrenal gland. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:995228. [PMID: 36506065 PMCID: PMC9731668 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.995228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary aldosteronism is the most common form of secondary arterial hypertension, due to excessive aldosterone production from the adrenal gland. Although somatic mutations have been identified in aldosterone producing adenoma, the exact mechanisms leading to increased cell proliferation and nodule formation remain to be established. One hypothesis is that changes in vascular supply to the adrenal cortex, due to phenomena of atherosclerosis or high blood pressure, may influence the morphology of the adrenal cortex, resulting in a compensatory growth and nodule formation in response to local hypoxia. In this review, we will summarize our knowledge on the mechanisms regulating adrenal cortex development and function, describe adrenal vascularization in normal and pathological conditions and address the mechanisms allowing the cross-talk between the hormonal and vascular components to allow the extreme tissue plasticity of the adrenal cortex in response to endogenous and exogenous stimuli. We will then address recent evidence suggesting a role for alterations in the vascular compartment that could eventually be involved in nodule formation and the development of primary aldosteronism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sheerazed Boulkroun
- Université Paris Cité, PARCC, INSERM, Paris, France
- *Correspondence: Maria-Christina Zennaro, ; Sheerazed Boulkroun,
| | - Maria-Christina Zennaro
- Université Paris Cité, PARCC, INSERM, Paris, France
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Service de Génétique, Paris, France
- *Correspondence: Maria-Christina Zennaro, ; Sheerazed Boulkroun,
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