Year: 2009
Type: review
Abstract: Scientists have long hypothesized the existence of tissue-specific (somatic) stem cells and have searched for their location in different organs.The theory that adrenocortical organ homeostasis is maintained by undifferentiated stem or progenitor cells can be traced back nearly a century.Similar to other organ systems, it is widely believed that these rare cells of the adrenal cortex remain relatively undifferentiated and quiescent until needed to replenish the organ, at which time they undergo proliferation and terminal differentiation.Historical studies examining cell cycle activation by label retention assays and regenerative potential by organ transplantation experiments suggested that the adrenocortical progenitors reside in the outer periphery of the adrenal gland.Over the past decade, the Hammer laboratory, building on this hypothesis and these observations, has endeavored to understand the mechanisms of adrenocortical development and organ maintenance.In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of adrenal organogenesis.We present evidence for the existence and location of adrenocortical stem/progenitor cells and their potential contribution to adrenocortical carcinomas.Data described herein come primarily from studies conducted in the Hammer laboratory with incorporation of important related studies from other investigators.Together, the work provides a framework for the emerging somatic stem cell field as it relates to the adrenal gland.(Endocrine Reviews 30: 241-263, 2009) I. Introduction II.Adrenal Anatomy III.Adrenal Gland Development and Establishment of the Definitive (Adult) Cortex IV.Anatomic Evidence in Support of Adrenocortical Stem/ Progenitor Cells V. Regenerative Capacity of Adrenal Cortex VI.Clonal Relationship of Undifferentiated Subcapsular Cells to Differentiated Cortical Cells VII.Dual Role of Sf1-Mediated Transcription in Adrenocortical Development and Steroidogenesis VIII.Regulation of Sf1-Dependent Gene Expression in the Subcapsular Cortex by Endocrine and Paracrine Signaling A. Sf1 and Dax1 interactions B. Endocrine signaling C. Paracrine signaling IX.Adrenocortical Carcinomas in the Context of Cancer Stem Cells A. Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome and IGF-II B. Familial adenomatous polyposis C. Li-Fraumeni syndrome D. Telomeres, telomerase, stem cells, and cancer X. Future Directions A. Tissue-specific silencing of Sf1 gene expression B. Pod1 null mice C
Source: Endocrine Reviews
DOI: 10.1210/er.2008-0039
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Funders: American Cancer Society, Northwestern University, University of Minnesota, University of Michigan, Baylor University, Washington State University, University College London, University of Toronto, National Institutes of Health, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, University of California, Los Angeles, Biomedical Research Council, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
OpenAlex ID: W2042677748