Expression of adrenomedullin 2/intermedin in human adrenal tumors and attached non-neoplastic adrenal tissues.

Abstract

Adrenomedullin 2/intermedin (AM2/IMD) is a new member of calcitonin/calcitonin gene-related peptide family. AM is expressed in various tumors including adrenocortical tumors and modulates tumor growth. The AM2/IMD expression has not been studied, however, in adrenal tumors. The expression of AM2/IMD and AM was therefore studied in human adrenal tumors and attached non-neoplastic adrenal tissues by immunocytochemistry (ICC). Immunoreactive (IR)-AM2/IMD was measured by RIA. Furthermore, the expression of AM2/IMD and its receptor components, calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR), and receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs) 1, 2, and 3 mRNA in these tissues was studied by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). ICC showed that AM2/IMD and AM immunoreactivities were localized in adrenocortical tumors and pheochromocytomas. AM2/IMD and AM immunoreactivities were detected in medulla of attached non-neoplastic tissues, while the degree of immunoreactivity for AM2/IMD and AM in cortices of attached adrenals was relatively weak or undetectable. RIA detected IR-AM2/IMD in adrenal tumors (0.414+/-0.12 to 0.786+/-0.27 pmol/g wet weight, mean+/-S.E.M.) and attached adrenal tissues (0.397+/-0.052 pmol/g wet weight). Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography showed one broad peak eluted in the similar position to synthetic AM2/IMD with several minor peaks. RT-PCR showed expression of AM2/IMD, CRLR, and RAMP1, RAMP2, and RAMP3 mRNA in tissues of adrenal tumors and attached adrenal glands. In conclusion, AM2/IMD is expressed in human adrenal tumors and attached non-neoplastic adrenal tissues and may play (patho-)physiological roles in normal and neoplastic adrenals as an autocrine/paracrine regulator.

• Authors: Ryo Morimoto, Fumitoshi Satoh, Osamu Murakami, Takuo Hirose, Kazuhito Totsune, Yutaka Imai, Yoichi Arai, Takashi Suzuki, Hironobu Sasano, Sadayoshi Ito, Kazuhiro Takahashi
• Journal: The Journal of endocrinology (J Endocrinol) Vol. 198 Issue 1 Pg. 175-83 (Jul 2008) ISSN: 1479-6805 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 18460550 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• ADM2 protein, human
• Peptide Hormones
• RNA, Messenger

Topics

• Adrenal Gland Neoplasms (chemistry)
• Adrenal Glands (chemistry)
• Adrenocortical Carcinoma (chemistry)
• Adult
• Aged
• Female
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Peptide Hormones (analysis, genetics, physiology)
• Pheochromocytoma (chemistry)
• RNA, Messenger (analysis)
• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction