scholarly journals Somatic mutations in adrenals from patients with primary aldosteronism not cured after adrenalectomy suggest common pathogenic mechanisms between unilateral and bilateral disease

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inès Hacini ◽  
Kelly De Sousa ◽  
Sheerazed Boulkroun ◽  
Tchao Meatchi ◽  
Laurence Amar ◽  
...  

Objective: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common form of secondary and curable hypertension. Different germline and somatic mutations are found in aldosterone producing adenoma (APA) and familial forms of the disease, while the causes of bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (BAH) remain largely unknown. Adrenalectomy is the recommended treatment for patients with APA; however, 6% of patients are not cured and show persistent PA after surgery suggesting BAH. The objective of this study was to analyze clinical data of patients with APA without biochemical success after adrenalectomy as well as the histological and genetic characteristics of their adrenal glands. Design and Methods: Clinical data of 12 patients without biochemical cure were compared to those from 39 PA patients with hormonal cure after surgery. Histological, morphological and genetic characterization of the adrenals was carried out by CYP11B2 and CYP11B1 immunostaining and by CYP11B2-guided NGS. Results: Patients with absent hormonal cure displayed longer duration of arterial hypertension and lower lateralization index of aldosterone production. In 10 patients, APA expressing CYP11B2 were identified. No difference in histological and morphological characteristics was observed between patients with our without hormonal cure. Somatic mutations in APA driver genes were identified in all CYP11B2 positive APA; CACNA1D mutations were the most frequent genetic abnormality. Conclusions: Patients with absent biochemical cure were diagnosed later and exhibited lower lateralization index of aldosterone production, suggesting asymmetric aldosterone production in the context of BAH. Somatic mutations in adrenal glands from those patients indicate common mechanisms underlying BAH and APA.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e21515-e21515
Author(s):  
Jingjing Li ◽  
Shi Yan ◽  
Wenyan Guan ◽  
Xiao Xiao ◽  
Bing Liu ◽  
...  

e21515 Background: Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus (PMME) is an exceedingly rare disease but behave more aggressively and have a poorer prognosis. No specific histopathological classification and therapy strategies have been established for this type of disease due to lack of both tumor biological and genetics perception to PMME. Methods: We performed whole exome sequencing on 29 dissections including 23 primary tumors and 6 metastatic lymph nodes from 18 PMME patients. The genetic characteristics including somatic mutations and copy number variation (CNV) of PMME were compared to 398 skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM), 67 mucosal melanoma (MM) and 79 uveal melanoma (UVM). Using multi-region sequencing, we reconstructed the phylogenetic structure and inferred the evolutionary mode. Results: We found that PMME/MM have similar genomic patterns to SKCM but distinct from UVM. Frequently mutated driver genes such as MUC16, BRAF, NRAS, NF1, KMT2C, POLE, PTPRT, RANBP2 appeared in both SKCM and PMME/MM cohorts. Of note, pathway enrichment analysis using identified driver genes revealed that melanoma pathway and MAPK signaling pathway were among the top affected pathways in MM/PMME as well as in SKCM. UVR-associated single base substitution signature 7 (SBS7) was not a dominant signature (median: 0.17, range:0̃0.79) in PMME/MM but 99 percent (89/90) of them do have it. An overall concordant trend in genome instability was found between PMME and SKCM. Significant CNV events at arm level showed the similar changes in PMME and SKCM, including amplification regions of 1q, 6p, 7p, 8q, 15q, 20p and deletion of 10p, 10q, 11p. CDKN2A loss appeared as a shared focal event by PMME and SKCM. To elucidate the evolution trajectory of spatially separated samples, we also performed multi-region sequencing, and the phylogenetic analysis suggested that whole genome doubling (WGD) was an early and clonal event, which preceded the majority of somatic mutations and CNV. Most driver genes such as NF1, RANBP2 and MUC16 mutated after WGD except TP53. Above findings suggested that WGD might be capable of promoting ongoing genome instability and shaping the evolution in PMME. Moreover, parallel evolution of RANBP2 was recurrently observed indicating the existence of constraints and selection. Conclusions: Our data showed that PMME/MM exhibited genetic features very similar to SKCM so it might not be excluded from treatments currently used for common SKCM.


2020 ◽  
Vol 183 (4) ◽  
pp. 399-409
Author(s):  
Marie-Josée Desrochers ◽  
Matthieu St-Jean ◽  
Nada El Ghorayeb ◽  
Isabelle Bourdeau ◽  
Benny So ◽  
...  

Context: Unilateral aldosteronomas should suppress renin and contralateral aldosterone secretion. Complete aldosterone suppression in contralateral adrenal vein sample (AVS) could predict surgical outcomes. Objectives: To retrospectively evaluate the prevalence of basal contralateral suppression using Aldosterone (A)contralateral(CL)/Aperipheral(P) as compared to (A/Cortisol(C)CL)/(A/C)P ratio in primary aldosteronism (PA) patients studied in two Canadian centers. To determine the best cut-off to predict clinical and biochemical surgical cure. To compare the accuracy of ACL/AP to the basal and post-ACTH lateralization index (LI) in predicting surgical cure. Methods: In total, 330 patients with PA and successful AVS were included; 124 lateralizing patients underwent surgery. Clinical and biochemical cure at 3 and 12 months were evaluated using the PASO criteria. Results: Using ACL/AP and (A/C)CL/(A/C)P at the cut-off of 1, the prevalence of contralateral suppression was 6 and 45%, respectively. Using ROC curves, the ACL/AP ratio is associated with clinical cure at 3 and 12 months and biochemical cure at 12 months. (A/C)CL/(A/C)P is associated with biochemical cure only. The cut-offs for ACL/AP offering the best sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) for clinical and biochemical cures at 12 months are 2.15 (Se: 63% and Sp: 71%) and 6.15 (Se: 84% and Sp: 77%), respectively. Basal LI and post-ACTH LI are associated with clinical cure but only the post-ACTH LI is associated with biochemical cure. Conclusions: In lateralized PA, basal contralateral suppression defined by ACL/AP is rare and incomplete compared to the (A/C)CL/(A/C)P ratio and is associated with clinical and biochemical postoperative outcome, but with modest accuracy.


Hypertension ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa M Seccia ◽  
Franco Mantero ◽  
Claudio Letizia ◽  
Maniselvan Kuppusamy ◽  
Marlena Barisa ◽  
...  

Background. The mutations that affect the selectivity filter of the KCNJ5 K+ channel can play a role in triggering and/or maintaining aldosterone oversecretion in primary aldosteronism (PA). We therefore hypothesized that these somatic mutations can be associated with an increased aldosterone secretion from the APA, thus translating in raised plasma aldosterone concentrations (PAC) in the ipsilateral adrenal vein. Aim. To investigate if the lateralization index (LI) at adrenal vein sampling (AVS) is higher in the patients with an APA carrying the mutation (KCNJ5mut), as compared to those without the mutation (KCNJ5wt). Methods. Ninety-two consecutive PA patients who underwent AVS and received diagnosis of APA based on the four corners criteria were recruited. Unequivocal information on the presence or absence of the KCNJ5 mutations was available for each patient. The selectivity index (SI) was calculated as ratio between the right or left adrenal vein PCC (PCCside) and the infrarenal IVC PCC and a cutoff of 2.00 was used. The lateralization index (LI) was calculated in the bilaterally selective AVS as the ratio of PAC/PCC at the APA side to PAC/PCC at the contralateral side. We sequenced the KCNJ5 coding region spanning aminoacids 122 to 199, which include the selectivity filer. Results. The overall prevalence rate of KCNJ5 somatic mutations was 34%; G151R, L168R and T158A mutations were found in 19, 10 and 1 APA respectively. The G151E mutation was not found. The KCNJ5mut and KCNJ5wt groups were similar for gender, age, sK+ levels, while PAC and ARR were higher, and PRA lower (all p<0.05) in the KCNJ5 mut group. In the latter group the LI was higher than in the KCNJ5wt group (29.3± 6.7 vs 16.7±3.9, p< 0.02). This was due to a PAC/PCC ratio which was higher in the adrenal vein ipsilateral to the APA side and lower contralaterally in the KCNJ5mut group. Conclusions. These results provide direct in vivo evidence for a higher aldosterone secretion from APA carrying the KCNJ5 mutations, which translates into higher values of the LI, compared to the tumors without such mutations. Hence, the presence of these KCNJ5 mutations can affect the accuracy of the AVS-based diagnosis of the subtype of PA.


2015 ◽  
Vol 100 (4) ◽  
pp. 1477-1484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin J. Wolley ◽  
Richard D. Gordon ◽  
Ashraf H. Ahmed ◽  
Michael Stowasser

Context: In primary aldosteronism (PA), adrenal vein sampling (AVS) distinguishes unilateral and bilateral disease by comparison of aldosterone/cortisol (A/F) ratios. There is controversy about the criteria for interpretation, however, and in particular it is not clear whether contralateral suppression (CS) (defined as A/Fadrenal ≤ A/Fperipheral on the unaffected side) is important. We therefore performed a retrospective study to determine whether CS in surgically treated unilateral PA was associated with blood pressure (BP) and biochemical outcomes. Setting and Design: Patients who underwent unilateral adrenalectomy for PA after successful AVS were included if the lateralization index (A/Fdominant:A/Fnondominant) was ≥2. Cases were reviewed at 6 to 24 months follow-up for outcomes with respect to the presence and degree of CS. Results: Sixty-six of 80 patients had CS. Baseline characteristics were similar. At postoperative follow-up, those with CS had lower systolic BP (SBP) (128 mm Hg vs 144 mm Hg, P = .001), a greater proportion with cure or improvement of hypertension (96% vs 64%, P = .0034), a greater proportion with biochemical cure of PA on fludrocortisone suppression testing (43 of 49 [88%] vs 4 of 9 [44%], P = .002) and were taking a lower median number of antihypertensive medications (0 vs 1.5, P = .0032). In a multivariate model, the degree of CS and preoperative SBP were both significantly correlated with postoperative SBP, but the lateralization index, sex, and age were not. Conclusion: In this study, the presence of CS correlated with good BP and biochemical outcomes from surgery. This finding suggests that CS should be a factor in deciding whether to offer surgery for treatment of PA.


2012 ◽  
Vol 97 (12) ◽  
pp. E2307-E2313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa M. Seccia ◽  
Franco Mantero ◽  
Claudio Letizia ◽  
Maniselvan Kuppusamy ◽  
Brasilina Caroccia ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 127 (02/03) ◽  
pp. 100-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuhong Yang ◽  
Martin Reincke ◽  
Tracy Williams

AbstractThe importance of an early diagnosis and appropriate management of patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) has become increasingly clear because of the adverse impact of the disorder on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events and target organ damage. Adrenalectomy potentially cures patients with unilateral PA resulting in normalisation of blood pressure or significant clinical improvements in the majority of patients. Different criteria have been used to evaluate outcomes of unilateral adrenalectomy. Clinical remission (cure of hypertension) is observed in 6% to 86% of patients and clinical benefits from surgery are seen in the majority. Several factors have been identified that predict clinical success after surgery such as age, sex, anti-hypertensive medication dosage and known duration of hypertension. Biochemical remission of PA after unilateral adrenalectomy, characterised by the resolution of hyperaldosteronism and correction of pre-surgical hypokalaemia, is observed in 67% to 100% of patients with unilateral PA. In only a small proportion of patients, adrenalectomy fails to resolve hyperaldosteronism and inappropriate aldosterone production persists after surgery. In this review we discuss the potential reasons for failing to cure hyperaldosteronism after unilateral adrenalectomy for unilateral primary aldosteronism.


2019 ◽  
Vol 242 (3) ◽  
pp. R67-R79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly De Sousa ◽  
Alaa B Abdellatif ◽  
Rami M El Zein ◽  
Maria-Christina Zennaro

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common form and an under-diagnosed cause of secondary arterial hypertension, accounting for up to 10% of hypertensive cases and associated to increased cardiovascular risk. PA is caused by autonomous overproduction of aldosterone by the adrenal cortex. It is mainly caused by a unilateral aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) or bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. Excess aldosterone leads to arterial hypertension with suppressed renin, frequently associated to hypokalemia. Mutations in genes coding for ion channels and ATPases have been identified in APA, explaining the pathophysiology of increased aldosterone production. Different inherited genetic abnormalities led to the distinction of four forms of familial hyperaldosteronism (type I to IV) and other genetic defects very likely remain to be identified. Somatic mutations are identified in APA, but also in aldosterone-producing cell clusters (APCCs) in normal adrenals, in image-negative unilateral hyperplasia, in transitional lesions and in APCC from adrenals with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (BAH). Whether these structures are precursors of APA or whether somatic mutations occur in a proliferative adrenal cortex, is still a matter of debate. This review will summarize our knowledge on the molecular mechanisms responsible for PA and the recent discovery of new genes related to early-onset and familial forms of the disease. We will also address new issues concerning genomic and proteomic changes in adrenals with APA and discuss adrenal pathophysiology in relation to aldosterone-producing structures in the adrenal cortex.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-253
Author(s):  
N. Yu. Romanova ◽  
L. S. Selivanova ◽  
N. M. Platonova ◽  
D. G. Beltsevich ◽  
E. A. Troshina

Background: Aldosterone-producing adrenocortical adenoma (APA) is responsible for the majority of cases clinically diagnosed as primary aldosteronism. Aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) is one of the enzymes that play essential roles in aldosterone synthesis and is involved in the pathogenesis of primary aldosteronism. Recent studies have demonstrated that various factors influence the expression and function of CYP11B2 in APA. In particular, somatic mutations, such as gain-of-function and loss-of-function mutations have been identified in several genes, each of which encodes a pivotal protein that affects the calcium signaling pathway, the expression of CYP11B2, and aldosterone production. On the other hand, CYP11B2 also catalyzes the conversion of cortisol to 18-hydroxycortisol and subsequently converts 18-hydroxycortisol to 18-oxocortisol. The article also discusses the clinical significance of 18-oxocortisol, an important biomarker for the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism. Somatic mutations in aldosterone-driver genes are strongly associated with CYP11B2 expression and have been only detected in the CYP11B2-positive tumor area, that indicating heterogeneous expression of CYP11B2 in tumor.Aim: to assess the functional heterogeneity of adrenal tumors in primary aldosteronismMaterials and methods: Retrospective evaluation adrenal tumors from patients with primary aldosteronism (n=20). According to CT unilateral macrohyperplasia was detected in 19 patients (95% of total), all of them were confirmed to have unilateral hyperproduction of aldosterone according to AVS. Selected tumors werestained with anty-CYP11B2 antibody. We evaluated the CYP11B2 expression in the adenoma and in the adjacent adrenal cortex.Results: Immunohistochemistry studies of the resected adrenals from 20 patients with PA operated due to unilateral production of aldosterone using CYP11B2 staining showed that 10 of those with an adenoma on CT scanning showed CYP11B2 staining in the adenoma. Furthermore, 5 cases of an unilateral adenoma, showed CYP11B2 staining in the adjacent adrenal cortex and an absence of staining for CYP11B2 in the adenoma. 5 cases showed CYP11B2 expression is heterogeneously immunolocalized throughout the tumor area.Conclusion: Thus, the functional heterogeneity of adrenal tumors in primary aldosteronism has been proven. It is necessary to compare the data of immunohistochemical studies on the expression of CYP11B2 with the indicators of the level of 18-hydroxycortisol, 18-oxocortisol.


Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1167
Author(s):  
Che-Hsiung Wu ◽  
Kang-Yung Peng ◽  
Daw-Yang Hwang ◽  
Yen-Hung Lin ◽  
Vin-Cent Wu ◽  
...  

Somatic mutations have been identified in adrenal tissues of unilateral primary aldosteronism (uPA). The spectrum of somatic mutations in uPAs was investigated using a customized and targeted next-generation sequencing (cNGS) approach. We also assessed whether cNGS or Sanger sequencing-identified mutations have an association with clinical outcomes in uPA. Adrenal tumoral tissues of uPA patients who underwent adrenalectomy were obtained. Conventional somatic mutation hotspots in 240 extracted DNA samples were initially screened using Sanger sequencing. A total of 75 Sanger-negative samples were further investigated by sequencing the entire coding regions of the known aldosterone-driver genes by our cNGS gene panel. Somatic mutations in aldosterone-driver genes were detected in 21 (28%) of these samples (8.8% of all samples), with 9 samples, including mutations in CACNA1D gene (12%), 5 in CACNA1H (6.6%), 3 in ATP2B3 (4%), 2 in CLCN2 (2.6%), 1 in ATP1A1 (1.3%), and 1 in CTNNB1 (1.3%). Via combined cNGS and Sanger sequencing aldosterone-driver gene mutations were detected in altogether 186 of our 240 (77.5%) uPA samples. The complete clinical success rate of patients containing cNGS-identified mutations was higher than those without mutations (odds ratio (OR) = 10.9; p = 0.012). Identification of somatic mutations with cNGS or Sanger sequencing may facilitate the prediction of complete clinical success after adrenalectomy in uPA patients.


2004 ◽  
pp. 73-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
U Enberg ◽  
C Volpe ◽  
A Hoog ◽  
A Wedell ◽  
LO Farnebo ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is characterized by hypertension, hypokalemia and suppressed renin-angiotensin system caused by autonomous aldosterone production. The aim of this study was to localize mRNA expression of the genes coding for steroidogenic enzymes in adrenals from a group of patients with PA and relate this to clinical work-up, histopathology and outcome of adrenalectomy. DESIGN: This was a retrospective study of 27 patients subjected to adrenalectomy for PA. METHODS: Clinical data were collected and follow-up of all patients was performed. Paraffin-embedded specimens were analyzed by the in situ hybridization technique, with oligonucleotide probes coding for the steroidogenic enzyme genes. RESULTS: The resected adrenals had the histopathologic diagnosis of adenoma (11), adenoma and/or hyperplasia (15) or hyperplasia (1). CYP11B2 expression (indicating aldosterone production) was found in a dominant adrenal nodule from 22 patients. Fourteen of these had additional CYP11B2 expression in the zona glomerulosa. All 22 patients were cured of PA by adrenalectomy. One of these patients, who had additional high expression of CYP11B2 in the zona glomerulosa, was initially cured, but the condition had recurred at follow-up. Two patients had a mass shown on computed tomography without CYP11B2 but with CYP11B1 and CYP17 expression (indicating cortisol production). Instead their adrenals contained small nodules with CYP11B2 expression. These patients were not cured. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical data, endocrinologic evaluation and histopathology in combination with mRNA in situ hybridization of steroidogenic enzyme genes provide improved opportunities for correct subclassification postoperatively of patients with primary aldosteronism. At present, the in situ hybridization method is of special value for analysis of cases not cured by adrenalectomy.


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