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Jiang JH, Wang YF, Zheng J, Lei YM, Chen ZY, Guo Y, Guo YJ, Guo BQ, Lv YF, Wang HH, Xie JJ, Liu YX, Jin TW, Li BQ, Zhu XS, Jiang YH, Mo ZN. Human-like adrenal features in Chinese tree shrews revealed by multi-omics analysis of adrenal cell populations and steroid synthesis. Zool Res 2024; 45:617-632. [PMID: 38766745 PMCID: PMC11188597 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2023.280] [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: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The Chinese tree shrew ( Tupaia belangeri chinensis) has emerged as a promising model for investigating adrenal steroid synthesis, but it is unclear whether the same cells produce steroid hormones and whether their production is regulated in the same way as in humans. Here, we comprehensively mapped the cell types and pathways of steroid metabolism in the adrenal gland of Chinese tree shrews using single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptome analysis, mass spectrometry, and immunohistochemistry. We compared the transcriptomes of various adrenal cell types across tree shrews, humans, macaques, and mice. Results showed that tree shrew adrenal glands expressed many of the same key enzymes for steroid synthesis as humans, including CYP11B2, CYP11B1, CYB5A, and CHGA. Biochemical analysis confirmed the production of aldosterone, cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone but not dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in the tree shrew adrenal glands. Furthermore, genes in adrenal cell types in tree shrews were correlated with genetic risk factors for polycystic ovary syndrome, primary aldosteronism, hypertension, and related disorders in humans based on genome-wide association studies. Overall, this study suggests that the adrenal glands of Chinese tree shrews may consist of closely related cell populations with functional similarity to those of the human adrenal gland. Our comprehensive results (publicly available at http://gxmujyzmolab.cn:16245/scAGMap/) should facilitate the advancement of this animal model for the investigation of adrenal gland disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Hang Jiang
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Jingmen People's Hospital, JingChu University of Technology Affiliated Central Hospital, Jingmen, Hubei 448000, China
| | - Yi-Fu Wang
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Yi-Ming Lei
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Yulin Normal University, Yulin, Guangxi 537000, China
| | - Zhong-Yuan Chen
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Collaborative Innovation Centre of Regenerative Medicine and Medical BioResource Development and Application Co-constructed by the Province and Ministry, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Yi Guo
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Ya-Jie Guo
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Bing-Qian Guo
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Yu-Fang Lv
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Hong-Hong Wang
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Juan-Juan Xie
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Yi-Xuan Liu
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Ting-Wei Jin
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Bi-Qi Li
- Department of Pathology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530007, China
| | - Xiao-Shu Zhu
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Yulin Normal University, Yulin, Guangxi 537000, China. E-mail:
| | - Yong-Hua Jiang
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Collaborative Innovation Centre of Regenerative Medicine and Medical BioResource Development and Application Co-constructed by the Province and Ministry, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530007, China. E-mail:
| | - Zeng-Nan Mo
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China. E-mail:
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Augsburger P, Liimatta J, Flück CE. Update on Adrenarche-Still a Mystery. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024; 109:1403-1422. [PMID: 38181424 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgae008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Adrenarche marks the timepoint of human adrenal development when the cortex starts secreting androgens in increasing amounts, in healthy children at age 8-9 years, with premature adrenarche (PA) earlier. Because the molecular regulation and significance of adrenarche are unknown, this prepubertal event is characterized descriptively, and PA is a diagnosis by exclusion with unclear long-term consequences. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION We searched the literature of the past 5 years, including original articles, reviews, and meta-analyses from PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus, using search terms adrenarche, pubarche, DHEAS, steroidogenesis, adrenal, and zona reticularis. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Numerous studies addressed different topics of adrenarche and PA. Although basic studies on human adrenal development, zonation, and zona reticularis function enhanced our knowledge, the exact mechanism leading to adrenarche remains unsolved. Many regulators seem involved. A promising marker of adrenarche (11-ketotestosterone) was found in the 11-oxy androgen pathway. By current definition, the prevalence of PA can be as high as 9% to 23% in girls and 2% to 10% in boys, but only a subset of these children might face related adverse health outcomes. CONCLUSION New criteria for defining adrenarche and PA are needed to identify children at risk for later disease and to spare children with a normal variation. Further research is therefore required to understand adrenarche. Prospective, long-term studies should characterize prenatal or early postnatal developmental pathways that modulate trajectories of birth size, early postnatal growth, childhood overweight/obesity, adrenarche and puberty onset, and lead to abnormal sexual maturation, fertility, and other adverse outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Augsburger
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Metabolism, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Department of BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jani Liimatta
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Metabolism, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Department of BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
- Kuopio Pediatric Research Unit (KuPRU), University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital, 70029 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Christa E Flück
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Metabolism, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Department of BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
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Warde KM, Smith LJ, Basham KJ. Age-related Changes in the Adrenal Cortex: Insights and Implications. J Endocr Soc 2023; 7:bvad097. [PMID: 37564884 PMCID: PMC10410302 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvad097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging is characterized by a gradual decline in physiological function. This process affects all organs including the adrenal cortex, which normally functions to produce essential steroid hormones including mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and androgens. With increasing age, features such as reduced adrenal cortex size, altered zonation, and increased myeloid immune cell infiltration substantially alter the structure and function of the adrenal cortex. Many of these hallmark features of adrenal cortex aging occur both in males and females, yet are more enhanced in males. Hormonally, a substantial reduction in adrenal androgens is a key feature of aging, which is accompanied by modest changes in aldosterone and cortisol. These hormonal changes are associated with various pathological consequences including impaired immune responses, decreased bone health, and accelerated age-related diseases. One of the most notable changes with adrenal aging is the increased incidence of adrenal tumors, which is sex dimorphic with a higher prevalence in females. Increased adrenal tumorigenesis with age is likely driven by both an increase in genetic mutations as well as remodeling of the tissue microenvironment. Novel antiaging strategies offer a promising avenue to mitigate adrenal aging and alleviate age-associated pathologies, including adrenal tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate M Warde
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Lorenzo J Smith
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Kaitlin J Basham
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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Abstract
Adrenarche is the maturational increase in adrenal androgen production that normally begins in early childhood. It results from changes in the secretory response to adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) that are best indexed by dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) rise. These changes are related to the development of the zona reticularis (ZR) and its unique gene/enzyme expression pattern of low 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 with high cytochrome b5A, sulfotransferase 2A1, and 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 5. Recently 11-ketotestosterone was identified as an important bioactive adrenarchal androgen. Birth weight, body growth, obesity, and prolactin are related to ZR development. Adrenarchal androgens normally contribute to the onset of sexual pubic hair (pubarche) and sebaceous and apocrine gland development. Premature adrenarche causes ≥90% of premature pubarche (PP). Its cause is unknown. Affected children have a significantly increased growth rate with proportionate bone age advancement that typically does not compromise growth potential. Serum DHEAS and testosterone levels increase to levels normal for early female puberty. It is associated with mildly increased risks for obesity, insulin resistance, and possibly mood disorder and polycystic ovary syndrome. Between 5% and 10% of PP is due to virilizing disorders, which are usually characterized by more rapid advancement of pubarche and compromise of adult height potential than premature adrenarche. Most cases are due to nonclassic congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Algorithms are presented for the differential diagnosis of PP. This review highlights recent advances in molecular genetic and developmental biologic understanding of ZR development and insights into adrenarche emanating from mass spectrometric steroid assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L Rosenfield
- University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Section of Adult and Pediatric Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Dumontet T, Martinez A. Adrenal androgens, adrenarche, and zona reticularis: A human affair? Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021; 528:111239. [PMID: 33676986 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In humans, reticularis cells of the adrenal cortex fuel the production of androgen steroids, constituting the driver of numerous morphological changes during childhood. These steps are considered a precocious stage of sexual maturation and are grouped under the term "adrenarche". This review describes the molecular and enzymatic characteristics of the zona reticularis, along with the possible signals and mechanisms that control its emergence and the associated clinical features. We investigate the differences between species and discuss new studies such as genetic lineage tracing and transcriptomic analysis, highlighting the rodent inner cortex's cellular and molecular heterogeneity. The recent development and characterization of mouse models deficient for Prkar1a presenting with adrenocortical reticularis-like features prompt us to review our vision of the mouse adrenal gland maturation. We expect these new insights will help increase our understanding of the adrenarche process and the pathologies associated with its deregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Typhanie Dumontet
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Training Program in Organogenesis, Center for Cell Plasticity and Organ Design, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Antoine Martinez
- Génétique, Reproduction et Développement (GReD), Centre National de La Recherche Scientifique CNRS, Institut National de La Santé & de La Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Université Clermont-Auvergne (UCA), France.
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