The Functional Glomerulosa Cells Define the Unicity of the Adult Human Adrenal Cortex

Abstract The zonation of the human adrenal cortex has long been established morphologically and histologically as three distinct layers cells. outer zona glomerulosa (ZG) comprises densely packed cells arranged in clusters that produce aldosterone; fasciculata (ZF) is composed with large cytoplasm, containing lipid droplets radial columns synthetize cortisol; reticularis compact pigmented producing androgens. main purpose this work was to study expression aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2 which catalyzes last steps synthesis) 11β-hydroxylase (CYP11B1 step cortisol normal glands address issues regarding fate constitutive each zone through Ki-67 cleaved Caspase-3. Thirty eight adrenals (16 females, 22 males, ranging age from 81 years old a median 52 old) were obtained brain-dead organ donors (kindly provided by Organ Transplant Clinics, University Hospital Rouen). As early old, we found histological ZG (h-ZG) does not correspond functional (f-ZG) expressing CYP11B2. Moreover, h-ZG CYP11B2- CYP11B1+ showing these ascribed are fact progressive replacement CYP11B2+ might demonstrate role extracellular matrix morphological maintenance cortex. Our analysis also showed steroidogenic either CYP11B1 or CYP11B2 positive. By immunofluorescence, observed many cases isolated located deeply h-ZF sometimes vicinity central vein. We able show those probably issued cell migrated centripetally. immunoreactivity highly variable throughout entire positive correlation between endothelial proliferation. It interesting note some Ki-67+ CYP11B1+. Cortical for Caspase-3 extremely rare but detected all zones when present. These findings challenge classic view lineage conversion differentiated new pathway where migrate without changing their phenotype.