Evidence for a paracrine role of endogenous adrenomedullary galanin in the regulation of glucocorticoid secretion in the rat adrenal gland.

Previous investigations have shown that rat adrenocortical cells are provided with galanin receptors, and galanin stimulates glucocorticoid secretion from dispersed cells. The present study aimed to clarify the possible role of galanin in the physiological regulation of rat adrenal secretory activity. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction detected galanin mRNA expression in the adrenal medulla, but not in the cortex. Sizeable concentrations of galanin-immunoreactivity were measured by radioimmune assay only in the adrenomedullary tissue. Galanin raised norepinephrine, but not epinephrine, release from adrenomedullary tissue. Galanin immunoneutralization (obtained with concentrations of anti-galanin antibody able to block the galanin glucocorticoid secretagogue effect on dispersed adrenocortical cells) decreased basal corticosterone production from adrenal slices containing adrenomedullary tissue, without affecting that from dispersed adrenocortical cells. The beta-adrenoceptor antagonist l-alprenolol partially prevented galanin-stimulated corticosterone secretion from adrenal slices, without per se altering basal secretion. Taken together, our findings allow us to conclude that endogenous galanin, produced in adrenal medulla, is involved in the regulation of adrenocortical glucocorticoid secretion acting via a two-fold paracrine mechanism: i) direct activation of adrenocortical galanin receptors; and ii) stimulation of adrenomedullary release of catecholamines, which in turn activate beta-adrenoceptors located on adrenocortical cells.

Galanin enhances corticosterone secretion from dispersed rat adrenocortical cells through the activation of GAL-R1 and GAL-R2 receptors coupled to the adenylate cyclase-dependent signaling cascade.

Galanin is a regulatory peptide, which acts via three subtypes of receptors, named GAL-R1, GAL-R2 and GAL-R3. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction demonstrated the expression of GAL-R1 and GAL-R2, but not GAL-R3 mRNAs in dispersed rat adrenal zona fasciculata-reticularis (inner) cells. The immuno-blockade of GAL-R1 and GAL-R2, but not GAL-R3, decreased the binding of [3H]galanin to dispersed cells, a complete inhibition being obtained only by the simultaneous blockade of both receptor subtypes. Galanin stimulated corticosterone and cyclic-AMP release from dispersed inner rat adrenocortical cells, while inositol triphosphate production was not affected. Again these responses to galanin were reversed by both the GAL-R1 and GAL-R2, but not the GAL-R3 immuno-blockade. The adenylate cyclase inhibitor SQ-22536 and the protein kinase (PK) A inhibitor H-89 abolished the corticosterone response of dispersed cells to galanin, while the phospholipase C inhibitor U-73122 and the PKC inhibitor calphostin-C were ineffective. We conclude that rat inner adrenocortical cells express GAL-R1 and GAL-R2 as mRNA and protein, and galanin stimulates corticosterone secretion acting via these receptor subtypes which are both coupled to the adenylate cyclase/PKA-dependent signaling pathway.

An image analysis of the spatial distribution of perivascular mast cells in human melanoma.

A mutual spatial and functional relationship occurs between mast cells (MCs) and endothelial cells and the density of MCs is highly correlated with the extent of tumor angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern of MCs around the blood vessels in melanoma samples by means of an approach derived from spatial statistics, based on the analysis of the distribution of the distances of MCs from vessels to objectively establish if the two structures (MCs and vessels) are distributed independently over the studied area or if they displayed any kind of spatial association. Results showed that a higher number of vessels and MCs can be observed in melanoma as compared with samples from common acquired nevi (control group). The percent of area covered by vessel profiles was significantly higher in the melanoma group than the control group and the MC density was also significantly different; the melanoma group showing a number of MCs per unit area twice as high as the number measured in the control group. Furthermore, in the melanoma group, MCs were closer to each other and to the vessels. In fact, both the mean distance from vessels and the mean distance from the nearest cell profile were significantly lower than in the control group. This close association between MCs and the endothelium does not necessarily imply a participation of MCs in angiogenic processes, but might rather indicate that MCs are involved in the maintenance reaction necessary for the long lasting functional integrity of the endothelium.

In vitro culture on Matrigel favors the long-term maintenance of rat zona glomerulosa-cell differentiated phenotype.

Zona glomerulosa (ZG) cells cultured on plastic within few days dedifferentiate losing their capacity to secrete aldosterone (ALDO) in appreciable amounts. Evidence indicates that extracellular matrix modulates the secretory behavior of adrenocortical cells cultured in vitro. Hence, we compared the morphology and function of rat ZG cells grown on plastic and Matrigel basement membrane matrix (hereinafter Matrigel) for up to 12 days. At day 3, no significant differences were observed between cells cultured on plastic and Matrigel. Starting from day 6, ZG cells cultured on plastic lost their ultrastructural differentiated features (mitochondria with tubular cristae, smooth endoplasmic reticulum cisternae and lipid droplets), exhibiting a fibroblast-like appearance. The mRNA expression of the main steroidogenic enzymes, as evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction, the baseline secretion of ALDO and other post-pregnenolone hormones, as evaluated by high pressure liquid chromatography, and the secretory response to ACTH, angiotensin-II and K(+), as evaluated by radioimmunoassay, displayed a time-dependent decrease. Matrigel was found to maintain unchanged both the ultrastructure and the expresion of steroidogenic enzymes of ZG cells until day 12 of culture. Baseline and agonist-stimulated steroid-hormone secretion decreased with the duration of culture on Matrigel, but was always higher than that of ZG cells grown on plastic. Hence, our study clearly indicates that the culture on Matrigel favors the maintenance of rat ZG-cell differentiated phenotype, allowing the conclusion that this technique is suitable for long-term in vitro investigations.

Orexins in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Orexin-A and orexin-B are hypothalamic peptides that act via two G protein-coupled receptors, named orexin type 1 and type 2 receptors (OX1-Rs and OX2-Rs). The most studied biological functions of orexins are the central control of feeding and sleep, but in the past few years findings that orexin system modulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, acting on both its central and peripheral branches, have accumulated. Orexins and their receptors are expressed in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and median eminence and orexin receptors in pituitary corticotropes, adrenal cortex, and medulla. Whereas the effects of orexins on adrenal aldosterone secretion are doubtful, compelling evidence indicates that these peptides enhance glucocorticoid production in rats and humans. This effect involves a 2-fold mechanism: 1) stimulation of the adrenocorticotropin-releasing hormone-mediated pituitary release of adrenocorticotropin, which in turn raises adrenal glucocorticoid secretion; and 2) direct stimulation of adrenocortical cells via OX1-Rs coupled to the adenylate cyclase-dependent cascade. The effects of orexins on catecholamine release from adrenal medulla are unclear and probably of minor relevance, but there are indications that orexins can stimulate in vitro secretion of human pheochromocytoma cells via OX2-Rs coupled to the phospholipase C-dependent cascade. Evidence is also available that orexins enhance the growth in vitro of adrenocortical cells, mainly acting via OX2-Rs. Moreover, findings suggest that the orexin system may favor HPA axis responses to stresses and play a role in the pathophysiology of cortisol-secreting adrenal adenomas.

Neuropeptides B and W enhance the growth of human adrenocortical carcinoma-derived NCI-H295 cells by exerting MAPK p42/p44-mediated proliferogenic and antiapoptotic effects.

Neuropeptides B and W (NPB and NPW) are endogenous ligands of two G protein-coupled receptors, named GPR7 and GPR8. GPR7 and GPR8 are expressed in the adrenal cortex, and there is evidence that NPB and NPW stimulate glucocorticoid secretion from human adrenocortical cells by activating protein kinase (PK) A and PKC signaling. To gain insight into the role of NPB and NPW in human adrenal functional regulation, we have investigated their effects on the secretion and growth of the human adrenocortical carcinoma-derived NCI-H295 cell line. NCI-H295 cells were found to express both GPR7 and GPR8 mRNAs, but neither NPB nor NPW (up to 10(-6) M) affected their secretory activity. In contrast, both peptides (from 10(-10) to 10(-6) M) enhanced the growth of NCI-H295 cells, by raising their proliferative activity and lowering their apoptotic deletion rate. NPB and NPW (10(-6) M) stimulated tyrosine kinase (TK) and mitogen-activated PK (MAPK) p42/p44 activities in NCI-H295 cells. Both these effects were blocked by the TK inhibitor tyrphostin-23, while the MAPK p42/p44 inhibitor PD-98059 annulled only MAPK p42/p44 activation. The growth-stimulating effect of 10(-6) M NPB and NPW were not affected by either the PKA and PKC inhibitors H-89 and calphostin-C or the MAPK p38 antagonist SB-293580, but were abolished by both tyrphostin-23 and PD-98059. Taken together, our findings allow us to conclude that GPR7 and GPR8 expressed in NCI-H295 cells: i) are, at variance with those present in normal human adrenocortical cells, uncoupled to PKA- and PKC-dependent cascades, thereby explaining the absence of any secretory response to NPB and NPW; and ii) are coupled to the TK-dependent MAPK p42/p44 signaling, whose activation mediates the proliferogenic and antiapoptotic effect of NPB and NPW.

Differential expression and function of beacon in the rat adrenal cortex and medulla.

Beacon gene is overexpressed in obese rats, and beacon was found to stimulate food intake. Evidence has been recently provided that beacon is also expressed in the endocrine glands of normal rats, including adrenal cortex, of which it appears to regulate secretory activity. To further characterize the role of beacon in the rat adrenals, we investigated the level of beacon expression in the adrenal zona glomerulosa (ZG), zona fasciculata-reticularis (ZF/R) and medulla (AM), and the in vitro secretory responses to beacon[47-73] (hereinafter, beacon) of adrenocortical and adrenomedullary tissues. Real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed similar high levels of beacon mRNA in the ZG and ZF/R, and significantly lower (-80%) levels in AM. Immunocytochemistry showed that the distribution of beacon protein followed that of beacon mRNA. Quantitative high pressure liquid chromatography demonstrated that beacon (5x10(-7) M) reduced by about 56% the in vitro total steroid-hormone production from ZG and ZF/R tissues, without affecting catecholamine secretion from AM specimens. The beacon-induced lowering in the secretory activity of adrenal cortex depended on similar reductions (from 50-64%) in the production of the main adrenocortical hormones (pregnenolone, progesterone, 11-deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone, 18-hydroxy-corticosterone and aldosterone), thereby suggesting an inhibitory action of beacon in the early step of steroidogenesis (i.e. the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone). The hypothesis is advanced that beacon is to be considered an autocrine-paracrine negative regulator of mineralo- and glucocorticoid synthesis in the rat adrenal gland.

Orexins modulate the growth of cultured rat adrenocortical cells, acting through type 1 and type 2 receptors coupled to the MAPK p42/p44- and p38-dependent cascades.

Orexin A and B are hypothalamic peptides that act through two subtypes of receptors named OX1-R and OX2-R. The OX1-R almost exclusively binds orexin-A, whereas OX2-R is non-selective for both orexins. We previously found that rat adrenocortical cells express both orexin-receptor subtypes, and orexin-A stimulates corticosterone secretion from dispersed adrenocortical cells acting via the OX1-R. Here, we examined the possibility that orexins, acting through both their receptor subtypes, modulate the growth of adrenocortical cells. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed that rat adrenocortical cells cultured in vitro for four days expressed OX1-R and OX2-R mRNAs. Orexin-A increased the proliferation rate (PR) of cultured cells, while orexin-B lowered it. Using selective antibodies, we demonstrated that OX1-R immuno-blockade reversed the proliferogenic action of orexin-A, causing a sizeable decrease in PR. In contrast, OX2-R immuno-blockade magnified the proliferogenic effect of orexin-A and annulled the antiproliferogenic action of orexin-B. The proliferogenic effect of orexin-A in the presence of OX2-R immuno-blockade was abrogated by the MAPK p42/p44 inhibitor PD-98059, while the antiproliferogenic effect of orexin-A in the presence of OX1-R immuno-blockade was annulled by the MAPK p38 inhibitor SB-203580. Neither inhibitor altered per se the basal PR of cultured cells. Taken together, our present findings allow us to conclude that i) orexins modulate the growth of rat adrenocortical cells cultured in vitro, by exerting both proliferogenic and antiproliferogenic effects, which are mediated by OX1-Rs and OX2-Rs, respectively; and ii) OX1-R and OX2-R growth effects involve the activation of the MAPK p42/p44 and p38 signaling cascades, respectively.

Neuropeptide-Y and Y-receptors in the autocrine-paracrine regulation of adrenal gland under physiological and pathophysiological conditions (Review).

Neuropeptide-Y (NPY) is a 36-amino acid peptide, which belongs, along with peptide YY (PYY), to the pancreatic polypeptide (PP) family. The members of this family of peptides act via G protein-coupled receptors (Rs), six subtypes of which (from Y1- to Y6-R) have been identified. NPY and PYY preferentially bind the Y1-R, Y2-R and Y5-R, while PP mainly acts via the Y4-R. Evidence has been provided that the Y3-R is selective for NPY. NPY and Y-Rs are expressed in the adrenal gland (preferentially adrenal medulla) and pheochromocytomas, where they exert various autocrine-paracrine regulatory functions. Findings indicate that NPY is co-released with catecholamines under a variety of stimuli, including splanchnic nerve and cholinergic- and nicotinic-receptor activation. NPY, mainly acting via the Y1-R, Y2-R and Y3-R, either inhibits catecholamine secretion from bovine adrenal chromaffin cells or stimulates catecholamine secretion from adrenomedullary cells of humans and rats. NPY inhibits aldosterone secretion from dispersed zona glomerulosa (ZG) cells, but this effect has probably to be considered non-specific and toxic in nature, since it is obtained only using micromolar concentrations of the peptide. In contrast, NPY appears to modulate the secretory response of dispersed rat ZG cells to their main agonists (ACTH, angiotensin-II and potassium). However, there is indication that the main effect of NPY on the ZG in rats is indirect and involves the local release of catecholamines, which in turn, acting via beta-adrenoceptors, enhance the secretion of aldosterone. The prolonged treatment with NPY is also able to enhance the growth of the rat ZG. In contrast, the effects of NPY on glucocorticoid secretion from zona fasciculata-reticularis cells are negligible and doutbful. The physiological relevance of the effects of NPY on adrenal medulla and ZG remains to be addressed by future experimental studies employing more selective and potent Y-R antagonists. In contrast, indirect evidence is available that endogenous NPY system may play an important role in the modulation of adrenal functions under paraphysiological conditions (e.g. it seems to dampen exceedingly high responses to stresses). Moreover, it has been also suggested that endogenous NPY may be involved in the regulation of blood pressure and in the pathophysiology of pheochromocytomas.

Up-regulation of the adrenomedullin system mediates hypotension and hypoaldosteronism induced by simulated microgravity.

We recently demonstrated that prolonged simulated microgravity (SMG) induced hypotension and hypoaldosteronism in rats, and gathered preliminary evidence for an involvement of circulating adrenomedullin (AM). Thus, we aimed to investigate whether short-term SMG elicits the same effects, and whether up-regulation of adrenal AM system plays a relevant role. Rats were exposed for 8 days to SMG in the form of hindlimb unweighting, and then, along with control animals, were given an intraperitoneal injection of AM22-52 and/or angiotensin-II (Ang-II) (100 nmoles/kg) or the saline vehicle. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured by tail-cuff sphygmomanometry. The adrenal expression of AM was assayed by semiquantitative RT-PCR. The plasma concentrations of aldosterone (PAC) and AM, and adrenal AM content were measured by RIA. Short-term SMG induced significant decreases in SBP and PAC. Conversely, both the plasma and adrenal levels of AM, and adrenal AM mRNA were enhanced in SMG-exposed animals. The SMG-induced hypotension and hypoaldosteronism were reversed by AM22-52, an AM-receptor antagonist, thereby demonstrating a causal link between these effects and the up-regulation of AM system. SMG hampered SBP and PAC responses to Ang-II; the co-administration of AM22-52 restored these responses. These findings accord well with the known ability of AM to counteract the effects of Ang-II on both blood vessels and adrenocortical cells. Taken together, our findings allow us to conclude that up-regulation of the adrenal AM system i) occurs early and takes part in the adaptative changes occurring during SMG conditions; and ii) may account for both hypotension and hypoaldosteronism on returning to the normogravitational environment.

Norbormide enhances late steps of steroid-hormone synthesis in rat and mouse adrenal cortex.

Norbormide (N) is a vasoconstrictor agent, which acts selectively on the peripheral arteries of the rat, through the activation of the phospholipase C (PLC) cascade and the stimulation of Ca(2+) entrance in the vascular myocytes. Several endogenous vasoconstrictor agent (e.g. angiotensin-II (ANG-II) and endothelin-1 (ET-1)), that stimulate PLC pathway, are also able to enhance aldosterone secretion by the adrenal gland. Hence, we examined the effects of norbormide ((0.5, 1.0 or 5) x 10(-5)M) on corticosteroid-hormone secretion from adrenal slices of rats and mice. Quantitative HPLC assay showed that under basal conditions rat and mouse adrenal quarters secreted progesterone (PROG), 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC), 18-hydroxy-DOC (18OH-DOC), corticosterone (CORT), 18-hydroxy-corticosterone (18OH-CORT) and aldosterone (ALDO), as well as large amounts of pregnenolone (PREG) when its metabolism was blocked by 10(-5)M cyanoketone. Norbormide concentration-dependently raised the secretion of all post-DOC steroids assayed, decreased progesterone and DOC production, and did not affect pregnenolone release. In conclusion, norbormide is able to enhance late steps of steroid synthesis, i.e. those leading to the transformation of DOC to corticosterone and aldosterone, without affecting early steps. This is an interesting finding because the other main endogenous adrenal secretagogues are known to stimulate both early and late steps of steroid synthesis. The mechanism underlying the selective activating action of norbormide on 11beta- and 18-hydroxylation remains to be investigated.

Ghrelin and growth hormone secretagogue receptor are expressed in the rat adrenal cortex: Evidence that ghrelin stimulates the growth, but not the secretory activity of adrenal cells.

Ghrelin is an endogenous ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R), which has been originally isolated from rat stomach. Evidence has been previously provided that adrenal gland possesses abundant ghrelin-displaceable GHS-Rs, but nothing is known about the possible role of ghrelin in the regulation of adrenocortical function. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction demonstrated the expression of ghrelin and GHS-R in the rat adrenal cortex, and high adrenal concentrations of immunoreactive ghrelin were detected by radioimmune assay (RIA). Autoradiography localized abundant [(125)I]ghrelin binding sites in the adrenal zona glomerulosa (ZG) and outer zona fasciculata (ZF). Ghrelin (from 10(-10) to 10(-8) M) did not affect either basal steroid hormone (pregnenolone, progesterone, 11-deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone, 18-hydroxycorticosterone and aldosterone) secretion from dispersed ZG and zona fasciculata/reticularis (ZF/R) cells (as evaluated by quantitative high pressure liquid chromatography), or basal and agonist-stimulated aldosterone and corticosterone production from cultured ZG and ZF/R cells, respectively (as measured by RIA). Ghrelin (10(-8) and 10(-6) M) raised basal, but not agonist-stimulated, proliferation rate of cultured ZG cells (percent of cells able to incorporate 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine), without affecting apoptotic deletion rate (percent of cells able to incorporate biotinylated nucleosides into apoptotic DNA fragments). The tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitor tyrphostin-23 and the p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor PD-98059 abolished the proliferogenic effect of 10(-8) M ghrelin, while the protein kinase A and C inhibitors H-89 and calphostin-C were ineffective. Ghrelin (10(-8) M) stimulated TK and MAPK activity of dispersed ZG cells, and the effect was abolished by preincubation with tyrphostin-23 and PD-98059, respectively. Tyrphostin-23 annulled ghrelin-induced activation of MAPK activity. Taken together, the present findings indicate that (i) ghrelin and GHS-R are both expressed in the rat adrenal cortex, ghrelin binding sites being very abundant in the ZG; (ii) ghrelin does not affect the secretory activity of rat adrenocortical cells, but significantly enhances the proliferation rate of cultured ZG cells, without affecting apoptotic deletion rate; and (iii) the ZG proliferogenic action of ghrelin involves the TK-dependent activation of the p42/p44 MAPK cascade.

Evidence for an autocrine-paracrine role of adrenomedullin in the cultured rat adrenal zona glomerulosa cells.

Rat adrenomedullin (ADM) is a 50-amino acid hypotensive and vasodilating peptide, which derives from the posttranslational proteolytic cleavage of pro(p)ADM. ADM acts via at least two subtypes of receptors, named L1-receptor (L1-R) and calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR). CRLR functions as a calcitonin gene-related peptide or a selective ADM receptor depending on the expression of the subtype 1 or the subtypes 2 and 3 of a family of receptor-activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs). Adrenal zona glomerulosa (ZG) is one of the main target tissues of ADM, which has been shown to exert a potent inhibitory effect on aldosterone secretion acting through ADM[22-52]-sensitive receptors. Reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) consistently allowed the detection of pADM mRNA in the ZG, but not zona fasciculata-reticularis (ZF/R) cells of the rat adrenal cortex. Immunocytochemistry and radioimmune assay showed a weak but sizeable expression of ADM protein in the ZG, but not inner adrenocortical layers. ZG cells expressed peptidyl-glycine alpha-amidating monooxigenase, the enzyme converting immature ADM to the mature peptide, thereby suggesting their potential ability to produce active ADM. RT-PCR demonstrated the presence in ZG, but not ZF/R cells, of the specific mRNAs of L1-R, CRLR and RAMPs (especially RAMP2). ZG cells were cultured in vitro for 24 or 48 h in the presence of ADM (10(-8) M) and/or its receptor antagonist ADM[22-52] (10(-6) M). ADM increased proliferation index and lowered apoptotic index of cultured cells, and the effects were annulled by ADM[22-52]. ADM[22-52] alone was ineffective in 24 h cultures, but moderately decreased proliferation index and raised apoptotic index in 48 h cultures. In conclusion, our study provides evidence that i) rat ZG cells express ADM and ADM receptor of L1 and CRLR/RAMP2 subtypes, which both are sensitive to ADM[22-52]; and ii) endogenous ADM system modulates in an autocrine/paracrine manner ZG growth, by stimulating cell proliferation and reducing cell apoptotic deletion.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide and PACAP receptor expression and function in the rat adrenal gland.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a basic 38-amino acid peptide, which acts through three main G protein-coupled VIP/PACAP receptor subtypes, called PAC1, VPAC1 and VPAC2. We have investigated the expression and function of PACAP and its receptors in the rat adrenal gland. Reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and radioimmune assay (RIA) allowed the detection of PACAP expression as mRNA and protein exclusively in adrenal medulla (AM). RT-PCR and quantitative autoradiography, using [(125)I]PACAP and selective VIP/PACAP receptor ligands, demonstrated the expression of PAC1 only in AM, and VPAC1 and VPAC2 in both AM and zona glomerulosa (ZG), PACAP receptor expression being absent in zona fasciculata/reticularis (ZF/R). PACAP38 concentration-dependently increased aldosterone secretion from dispersed ZG cells and catecholamine secretion from AM tissue, the maximal effective concentration being 10(-7) M. ZF/R cells did not display any secretory response to PACAP38. Aldosterone response of ZG cells to 10(-7) M PACAP38 was unaffected by the PAC1-antagonist (A) PACAP(6-38), and significantly decreased by the VPAC1-A [Ac-His(1),D-Phe(2),Lys(15),Arg(16)]VIP(3-7) GRF(8-27)-NH(2). Catecholamine response of AM tissue to PACAP38 was reduced, but not abolished, by both PAC1-A and VPAC1-A. The VPAC2 agonist (ago) Ro25-1553 elicited sizeable secretory responses from both ZG cells and AM tissue. PACAP38 (10(-7) M) evoked a marked rise in cyclic-AMP (cAMP) and inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) production by ZG cells and AM tissue. cAMP response of ZG cells was lowered by VPAC1-A, and that of AM tissue by both PAC1-A and VPAC1-A. IP3 response of ZG cells and AM tissue was unaffected by PAC1-A and decreased by VPAC1-A. VPAC2-ago did not affect cAMP release, but raised IP3 production by both ZG cells and AM tissue. Aldosterone response of ZG cells and catecholamine response of AM tissue to PACAP38 (10(-7) M) were reduced by the adenylate cyclase (AC) and phospholipase-C (PLC) inhibitors (I) SQ-22536 and U-73122, as well as by the protein kinase (PK)A-I H-89 and PKC-I calphostin-C. Conversely, the secretory responses of both ZG and AM preparations to VPAC2-ago were annulled by PLC-I, lowered by PKC-I, and unaffected by either AC-I or PKA-I. Collectively, our findings allow us to conclude that in the rat adrenals: i) PACAP biosynthesis exclusively occurs in the AM; ii) ZG cells are provided with functional VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors, whose activation by PACAP evokes a moderate aldosterone response; iii) AM cells possess all the subtypes of VIP/PACAP receptors, whose activation by PACAP elicits a marked catecholamine response; and iv) PAC1 receptors are coupled to the AC-dependent cascade, VPAC1 receptors to both the AC- and PLC-dependent cascades, and VPAC2 receptors exclusively to the PLC-dependent cascade.

Mechanisms transducing the aldosterone secretagogue signal of endothelins in the human adrenal cortex.

Evidence has been provided that the 21-amino acid hypertensive peptide endothelin (ET)-1 exerts a potent secretagogue effect on human adrenocortical zona glomerulosa (ZG), acting through two receptor subtypes, called ET(A) and ET(B), the signaling mechanism(s) of which has (have) not yet been investigated. Collagenase dispersed human ZG cells were obtained from normal adrenals of patients undergoing nephrectomy/adrenalectomy for renal cancer. The selective ET(A)- and ET(B)-receptor activation was obtained by exposing dispersed cells to ET-1 plus the ET(B)-receptor antagonist BQ-788 and to the ET(B)-receptor agonist BQ-3020, respectively. The phospholipase (PL) C inhibitor U-73122 abolished ET(A) receptor-mediated secretory response, but only partially prevented the ET(B) receptor-mediated one. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin, the calmodulin inhibitor W-7 and the protein kinase (PK) C inhibitor calphostin-C significantly blunted the secretory responses ensuing from the activation of both receptor subtypes. When added together, calphostin-C and wortmannin or W-7 abolished ET(A)-mediated secretory response, but only decreased ET(B)-mediated one. The ET(B) receptor-, but not the ET(A) receptor-mediated aldosterone response was partially reversed by the cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor indomethacin, which when added together with U-73122 abolished it. ET(A)-receptor activation raised inositol triphosphate (IP(3)) production from dispersed ZG cells, while ET(B)-receptor stimulation enhanced both IP(3) and prostaglandin-E(2) production. Collectively, our findings indicate that ETs stimulate aldosterone secretion from human ZG cells, acting through ET(A) receptors exclusively coupled to PLC/PKC-dependent pathway and ET(B) receptors coupled to both PLC/PKC- and COX-dependent cascades.