Beclometasone but not fluticasone modulates PDGFD expression in the H295R adrenal cell line.
Abstract BackgroundAdrenal suppression is a clinically concerning side effect of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treatment in patients with asthma. Increased susceptibility to ICS-induced adrenal suppression has previously been identified in those with the rs591118 polymorphism in Platelet Derived Growth Factor D (PDGFD). The mechanism underpinning this relationship is not known.MethodsH295R cells were genotyped for rs591118 using a validated Taqman PCR allelic discrimination assay. H295R cell viability was determined after treatment with beclometasone and fluticasone (range 0-330 μM). Cortisol was measured in cell culture medium using competitive enzyme immunoassay.ResultsPDGFD protein expression in H295R cells was confirmed using Western blotting. When ACTH and forskolin were added to H295R cells, a reduction in PDGFD expression was seen which was then restored by incubation with prochloraz, a known inhibitor of steroidogenesis.A dose-dependent, decrease in PDGFD expression was observed with beclometasone (over a 24 h incubation period) but not with beclometasone incubations beyond 24 hour nor with fluticasone (at 24 or 48 hours).ConclusionsH295R cells express PDGFD protein which can be modulated by incubation with steroidogenesis agonists and antagonists and additionally with exogenous beclometasone.