Primary Cultures and Cell Lines for <i>In Vitro</i> Modeling of the Human Adrenal Cortex

The human adrenal cortex is a complex endocrine organ that produces mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids and androgens. These steroids are produced in distinct cell types located within the glomerulosa, fasciculata reticularis of cortex. Abnormal steroidogenesis leads to variety diseases can cause hypertension, metabolic syndrome, infertility premature adrenarche. also develop steroid-producing adenomas rarely adrenocortical carcinomas. In vitro culture models provide important tools study molecular cellular mechanisms controlling both physiologic pathologic conditions addition, presence multiple steroid-metabolizing enzymes cells makes it model for defining possible disruptors might block these enzymes. regulation dysregulation steroid production division/tumor growth be studied using freshly isolated but this requires access glands, which not available most investigators. Immortalized lines have proven considerable value studying biochemical tumorigenesis. Current include original NCI-H295 its substrains: H295A, H295R, HAC13, HAC15, HAC50 H295RA as well recently established MUC-1, CU-ACC1 CU-ACC2. current review will discuss use primary cultures fetal adult physiology pathophysiology.