17 - Primary Culture of Bovine and Human Adult Adrenocortical Cells

Abstract

Multiple pathways of steroidogenesis are present in the normal adrenocortical cell, primarily involving the formation of glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and androgens. Histologically, the adult human adrenocortex is composed of three zones: an outer zona glomerulosa, a zona fasciculata, and a zona reticularis. However, the two inner zones appear to function as a unit. Cultures of adrenocortical cells offer a useful model to study the regulation of metabolic pathways and enzymes involved in steroid formation and secretion. Since these cells are maintained in primary culture, their biochemical and proliferative function closely reflect the characteristics of normal adrenocortical cells. Their differentiated biochemical and morphological function in vitro renders them susceptible to biochemical perturbations. Therefore, primary cultures of adult adrenocortical cells seem to be well suited for the assessment of toxic effects of various agents on differentiated adrenocortical cell function. Bovine and human adult adrenocortical cells in vitro are shown to be responsive to the anti mitogenic and steroidogenic effect of adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH). In this cell system, the action of various substances on proliferation and cell differentiated function can be assessed easily by various methods. Primary cultures of bovine or human fasciculata cells offer a convenient and sensitive in vitro system for testing the effect of toxic substances on specific endocrine cell function under a variety of well-defined conditions.