Expression of inflammation-related genes in aldosterone-producing adenomas with KCNJ5 mutation.
The adrenocortical cells have been shown to produce various inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα and IL-6, which could modulate steroidogenesis. However, the role of inflammatory cytokines in aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs) is not fully understood. In the present study, we examined the relationships between mRNA expression levels of the inflammation-related genes and somatic mutations in APA tissues.



We evaluated mRNA expression levels of TNFA, IL6, and NFKB1 in APA tissues obtained from 44 Japanese APA patients.



We revealed that mRNA expression patterns of the inflammation-related genes depended on a KCNJ5 somatic mutation. In addition, we showed that mRNA expression levels of the inflammation-related genes correlated with those of the steroidogenic enzyme CYP11B1 in the patients with APAs.



The present study documented for the first time the expression of inflammation-related genes in APAs and the correlation of their expression levels with the KCNJ5 mutation status and mRNA expression levels of steroidogenic enzymes, indicating the pathophysiological relevance of inflammation-related genes in APAs.
Department of Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan.
Masanori
M
Murakami
Department of Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan. Electronic address: tyoshimoto.mem@tmd.ac.jp.
Takanobu
T
Yoshimoto
Department of Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan.
Yujiro
Y
Nakano
Department of Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan.
Kyoichiro
K
Tsuchiya
Department of Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan.
Isao
I
Minami
Department of Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan.
Ryotaro
R
Bouchi
Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan.
Yasuhisa
Y
Fujii
Department of Maternal-Fetal Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan.
Kazuhiko
K
Nakabayashi
Department of Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan; Department of Preemptive Medicine and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan.
Koshi
K
Hashimoto
Department of Maternal-Fetal Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan.
Ken-Ichiro
KI
Hata
Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan.
Kazunori
K
Kihara
Department of Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan; Japan Science and Technology Agency, CREST, AMED, Tokyo 102-0076, Japan.
Yoshihiro
Y
Ogawa
D000306:Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D018246:Adrenocortical Adenoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D051676:G Protein-Coupled Inwardly-Rectifying Potassium Channels / Q000235:genetics*; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D052002:NF-kappa B p50 Subunit / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013252:Steroid 11-beta-Hydroxylase / Q000235:genetics; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics
D016207:Cytokines; D051676:G Protein-Coupled Inwardly-Rectifying Potassium Channels; C508600:IL6 protein, human; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D015850:Interleukin-6; C484274:KCNJ5 protein, human; D052002:NF-kappa B p50 Subunit; C489548:NFKB1 protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; C439524:TNF protein, human; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000450:Aldosterone; D013252:Steroid 11-beta-Hydroxylase
APA; Adrenal tumor; Inflammatory cytokine; KCNJ5