Immunohistochemical expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 and its receptor in normal and neoplastic human adrenal cortex.
BACKGROUND
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) may influence cellular growth, differentiation and secretion.


METHODS
Cryosectioned normal human adrenal glands (n = 6), cortical adenoma (n = 21), and carcinoma (n = 17) were stained immunohistochemically for IGF-1 and its receptor, and human adrenocortical cancer cells expressing the receptor were analysed for influences on proliferation.


RESULTS
Normal cortical parenchyma generally displayed faint IGF-1 reactivity and intracellular receptor staining. Similar labelling encompassed the adenomas, but only 6 of them were receptor reactive. IGF-1 expression was conspicuous in 11 carcinomas, and 6 of them displayed cell surface receptor reactivity. All aldosterone producing lesions were receptor antibody unreactive. Recombinant IGF-1 dose-dependently stimulated the cell proliferation, and this effect was reversed by the receptor antibody.


CONCLUSIONS
IGF-1 may interact with function and proliferation of the human adrenal cortex with particular reference to cortical carcinomas lacking discernible aldosterone excess.
Backlin
C
C
Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Rastad
J
J
Skogseid
B
B
Hellman
P
P
Akerström
G
G
Juhlin
C
C
D000236:Adenoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000378:metabolism*; D000306:Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D000450:Aldosterone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1; D006854:Hydrocortisone