Features of cotton wool spots in diabetic retinopathy: a spectral-domain optical coherence tomography angiography study.

PURPOSE: To describe the features of cotton wool spots (CWSs) in diabetic retinopathy (DR) by using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT angiography). METHODS: We retrospectively studied patients with DR who presented CWSs and had been imaged by SD-OCT angiography. The retinal layer localisation and dimensions of the CWSs were assessed on SD-OCT, while the decorrelation signal generated by the CWSs and the vascular density (VD) of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus around the CWSs and in the macula were assessed on OCT angiography. RESULTS: A total of 87 eyes of 57 DR patients were included. All CWSs were located in the retinal nerve fibre layer and exhibited a decorrelation signal on OCT angiography. In 68 eyes (78.1%), hyporeflective cavities appearing as cysts in the CWS were noted, especially when were peripheral and large (P < 0.0001). The thickness averaged 211.8 ± 80.02 mm and was positively influenced by recent diabetes history, glycaemic dysregulation, posterior pole localisation and a high VD of the SCP around the CWS, while the surface area averaged 0.33 ± 0.24 mm2 and was influenced only by a low VD of the SCP around the CWS (P < 0.001). In 72 eyes (82.7%), the non-perfused areas were predominant in the periphery of the CWS. CONCLUSION: The features of CWSs are influenced by systemic factors, such as history and severity of diabetes, in association with local factors, such as localisation and retinal ischaemia. The peripheral localisation of ischaemia confirms the hypothesis that CWSs are sentinel lesions.

DNA Methylation Is an Independent Prognostic Marker of Survival in Adrenocortical Cancer.

CONTEXT: Adrenocortical cancer (ACC) is an aggressive tumor with a heterogeneous outcome. Prognostic stratification is difficult even based on tumor stage and Ki67. Recently integrated genomics studies have demonstrated that CpG islands hypermethylation is correlated with poor survival. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to confirm the prognostic value of CpG islands methylation on an independent cohort. DESIGN: Methylation was measured by methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MS-MLPA). SETTING: MS-MLPA was performed in a training cohort of 50 patients with ACC to identify the best set of probes correlating with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). These outcomes were validated in an independent cohort from 21 ENSAT centers. PATIENTS: The validation cohort included 203 patients (64% women, median age 50 years, 80% localized tumors). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: DFS and OS. RESULTS: In the training cohort, mean methylation of 4 genes (PAX5, GSTP1, PYCARD, PAX6) was the strongest methylation marker. In the validation cohort, methylation was a significant prognostic factor of DFS (P < 0.0001) and OS (P < 0.0001). Methylation, Ki67, and ENSAT stage were combined in multivariate models. For DFS, methylation (P = 0.0005) and stage (P < 0.0001) but not Ki67 (P = 0.19) remained highly significant. For OS, methylation (P = 0.0006), stage (P < 0.0001), and Ki67 (P = 0.024) were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor DNA methylation emerges as an independent prognostic factor in ACC. MS-MLPA is readily compatible with clinical routine and should enhance our ability for prognostication and precision medicine.

Expression of serotonin7 receptor and coupling of ectopic receptors to protein kinase A and ionic currents in adrenocorticotropin-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia causing Cushing's syndrome.

CONTEXT: In ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH) causing Cushing's syndrome, cortisol secretion is controlled by illegitimate membrane receptors. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to characterize the pharmacological properties and the transduction mechanisms of illegitimate receptors, i.e. receptors for serotonin (5-HT), gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), and LH/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), expressed by AIMAH tissues to evaluate the role of ectopic receptors in the physiopathology of Cushing's syndrome. DESIGN: We used in vitro studies on cultured adrenal hyperplasia cells. SETTING: The setting was a university research laboratory. PATIENTS: AIMAH tissues (H1-H3) were removed from three patients previously screened for illegitimate receptors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The main outcome measures were steroidogenic and electrical activities of cultured adrenal hyperplasia cells. RESULTS: In vitro studies showed that the corticotropic effect of 5-HT was mediated by ectopic 5-HT7 receptors in H1 and H2. GIP and hCG stimulated cortisol production via activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A in H2. On the contrary, the protein kinase A inhibitor H-89 did not affect hCG-induced cortisol production in H3. Activation of 5-HT7 or GIP receptors enhanced T-type calcium current in H1 or H2 and H3, respectively. In addition, GIP reduced the amplitude of transient and sustained potassium currents in H2. Conversely, hCG did not modify T-type calcium current in H3. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that, besides their coupling to the cAMP pathway, illegitimate adrenal receptors can activate additional transduction mechanisms, including modulation of membrane channels.

In vivo and in vitro screening for illegitimate receptors in adrenocorticotropin-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia causing Cushing's syndrome: identification of two cases of gonadotropin/gastric inhibitory polypeptide-dependent hypercortisolism.

In ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH) causing Cushing's syndrome, cortisol production can be controlled by illegitimate membrane receptors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate in vivo and in vitro the sensitivity of AIMAH to various regulatory factors to detect the expression of illegitimate receptors by the tissues. Four consecutive patients with AIMAH and hypercortisolism (H1-H4) preoperatively underwent a series of pharmacological and/or physiological tests. After adrenalectomy, in vitro studies were conducted to investigate the cortisol responses of cultured cells, derived from hyperplastic tissues, to various membrane receptor ligands. The adrenal tissues of the two patients who responded in vivo to food intake (H2 and H4) were stimulated in vitro by gastric inhibitory polypeptide. GnRH and human chorionic gonadotropin, but not FSH, stimulated cortisol secretion in patients H2 and H4. In these two cases, human chorionic gonadotropin but not GnRH stimulated cortisol production from cultured adrenocortical cells. Cisapride induced a significant increase in cortisol levels in patient H1. In addition, serotonin (5-HT) was more efficient to stimulate cortisol production in H1 cells than in normal adrenocortical cells. Upright stimulation test provoked an increase in cortisol levels in patients H1, H2, and H3. H1 and H2 cells were more sensitive to the stimulatory action of angiotensin II than normal cells. Similarly, arginine vasopressin (AVP) more efficiently activated steroidogenesis in H1 cells than in normal cells. In H1 tissue, immunohistochemical studies revealed the presence of 5-HT- and AVP-like immunoreactivities within clusters of steroidogenic cells, suggesting that these two factors acted through an autocrine/paracrine mechanism to stimulate cortisol secretion. The present study provides the first demonstration of primary adrenal Cushing's syndrome dependent on both gonadotropin and gastric inhibitory polypeptide. Our data also show a hyperresponsiveness of hyperplastic adrenal tissues to 5-HT, angiotensin II, and AVP. Finally, they reveal for the first time the presence of paracrine regulatory signals in adrenal hyperplasia tissues.

Hormonal, Radiological, NP-59 Scintigraphy, and Pathological Correlations in Patients With Cushing's Syndrome Due to Primary Pigmented Nodular Adrenocortical Disease (PPNAD).

CONTEXT: Primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD) is a rare cause of ACTH-independent Cushing's syndrome that may occur in an isolated form or as part of Carney complex. The diagnosis of this disease can be difficult preoperatively because computed tomography (CT) scan can be normal or suggest unilateral adrenal lesion, which can impede the correct diagnosis of bilateral adrenal disease. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to describe the results of preoperative imaging (adrenal [6ß-(131)I]iodomethyl-19-norcholesterol] [NP-59] scintigraphy and standard adrenal CT scan) and their correlations with clinical, pathological, and genetics investigations in patients with PPNAD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventeen patients with ACTH-independent syndrome due to PPNAD were investigated with a standard adrenal CT scan and NP-59 scintigraphy. Hormonal, pathological, and genetics data were analyzed. RESULTS: Four males and 13 females (median age, 27 y) were included. PPNAD was isolated in 11 patients (with PRKAR1A mutation, n = 7; and without PRKAR1A mutation, n = 4) and was associated with extra-adrenal manifestations of Carney complex in six patients (with PRKAR1A mutation, n = 4; and without PRKAR1A mutation, n = 2). Standard adrenal CT scan revealed micronodules in 11 patients, macronodules in three patients, and was normal in three patients. All patients demonstrated bilateral adrenal radiocholesterol uptake. Adrenal uptake was asymmetrical in 10 of 17 patients (59%). Asymmetrical uptake correlated with the presence of macronodules at pathological analysis (P = .03). CONCLUSION: Standard adrenal CT scan most often reveals micronodules but there is no specific CT imaging. NP-59 scintigraphy always shows a bilateral adrenal uptake confirming the bilateral nature of the disease, but asymmetrical scintigraphic uptake can be observed in patients with macronodules.

ARMC5 Mutations in a Large Cohort of Primary Macronodular Adrenal Hyperplasia: Clinical and Functional Consequences.

CONTEXT: Primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (PBMAH) is a rare cause of primary adrenal Cushing's syndrome (CS). ARMC5 germline mutations have been identified recently in PBMAH. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of ARMC5 mutations and analyze genotype-phenotype correlation in a large cohort of unrelated PBMAH patients with subclinical or clinical CS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: ARMC5 was sequenced in 98 unrelated PBMAH index cases. PBMAH was identified by bilateral adrenal nodular enlargement on computed tomography scan. The effect on apoptosis of ARMC5 missense mutants was tested in H295R and HeLa cells. Clinical and hormonal data were collected including midnight and urinary free cortisol levels, ACTH, androgens, renin/aldosterone ratio, cortisol after overnight dexamethasone suppression test, cortisol and 17-hydroxyprogesterone after ACTH 1-24 stimulation and illegitimate receptor responses. Computed tomography and histological reports were analyzed. RESULTS: ARMC5-damaging mutations were identified in 24 patients (26%). The missense mutants and the p.F700del deletion were unable to induce apoptosis in both H295R and HeLa cell lines, unlike the wild-type gene. ARMC5-mutated patients showed an overt CS more frequently, compared to wild-type patients: lower ACTH, higher midnight plasma cortisol, urinary free cortisol, and cortisol after dexamethasone suppression test (P = .003, .019, .006, and <.001, respectively). Adrenals of patients with mutations were bigger and had a higher number of nodules (P = .001 and <.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: ARMC5 germline mutations are common in PBMAH. Index cases of mutation carriers show a more severe hypercortisolism and larger adrenals. ARMC5 genotyping may help to identify clinical forms of PBMAH better and may also allow earlier diagnosis of this disease.

Aberrant cortisol regulations in bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia: a frequent finding in a prospective study of 32 patients with overt or subclinical Cushing's syndrome.

CONTEXT: ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH) is a rare and heterogeneous condition characterized by abnormal steroid production. Cortisol secretion can be regulated by aberrant hormone receptors. OBJECTIVE: A large series of patients with AIMAH were evaluated to provide information on the prevalence and profile of aberrant regulations, in relation with the functional status. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Thirty-two consecutive patients with AIMAH were prospectively studied: 10 had a Cushing's syndrome (CS), and 22 had a subclinical CS (SCS). METHODS: A baseline endocrine evaluation was followed by an in vivo protocol in search of aberrant cortisol responses (seven provocative tests). An acute inhibition test with the somatostatin analog octreotide was also performed. RESULTS: At least one aberrant cortisol response was identified in 28 of 32 (87%) patients. The overall prevalence of aberrant responses was independent of the functional status. Responses to the upright posture and to metoclopramide were frequently observed (67 and 56% respectively). A glucagon response was frequently observed in the SCS group (58%). A cortisol inhibition by octreotide was specifically found in the three CS patients who positively responded to the mixed meal, and was observed also in 12 of 13 (92%) patients with SCS. CONCLUSIONS: Cortisol responses indicative of aberrant receptor expression were highly prevalent in AIMAH. Thorough phenotyping of AIMAH may help uncover the underlying pathophysiology.