OR06-03 Serotonin Regulates Corticotroph Tumor Cell Proliferation and ACTH Secretion

Abstract

Serotonin (5-HT) is an important hormonal modulator and neurotransmitter, and 5-HT has been demonstrated in pituitary tissue from several species. Previous responses to 5-HT antagonists have been reported in some patients with Cushing disease although this effect was unsustained, and ACTH and cortisol levels actually increased in some patients. To better understand the role of serotonin in the regulation of corticotroph tumor growth and ACTH secretion, we first measured serotonin levels in supernatants (SNs) derived from murine corticotroph tumor AtT20 cells. We demonstrated that AtT20 cells secrete serotonin (2±0.05ng/105cells/24h) which was ~50% of the levels secreted by the serotonin secreting mid-gut carcinoid BON-1 cell-line (4.2±0.05ng/105cells/24h). In contrast, serotonin secretion was not detected in rat pituitary tumor lactotroph (GH3) or human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cell SNs, or in our Ham’s F12 medium control. Immunocytochemical staining using serotonin specific antibodies demonstrated that serotonin was diffusively present in AtT20 cell cytoplasm, suggesting that serotonin was endogenously generated in the AtT20 cells. Using real-time PCR, we demonstrated that both serotonin synthesis enzymes, tyrosine hydroxylase-1 (THP1) and -2 (THP2) are expressed in AtT20 cells with higher relative THP1 expression, confirming endogenous corticotroph pituitary tumor serotonin production. We further demonstrated that the synthetic glucocorticoid Dexamethasone (100nM x 24h) suppressed TPH1 expression and inhibited corticotroph tumor serotonin secretion. We next evaluated the actions of serotonin and various serotonin antagonists on corticotroph tumor cell proliferation and ACTH secretion. Ritanserin (10-5M) inhibited murine corticotroph tumor proliferation by 5% and inhibited ACTH secretion by ~25%. In contrast, metergoline (10-5M) and the orally administered TPH inhibitor, telotristat etiprate (10-5M for 1-3 days), inhibited ACTH secretion by 50% and 30% respectively but did not reduce cell proliferation, suggesting that Metergoline and telotristat may regulate ACTH secretion independently of their anti-proliferative effect. Addition of serotonin (10-4~10-5M) to corticotroph tumor cells cultured in reduced serum (OptiMEM) or no serum conditions, resulted in an 80% increase in cell proliferation but had little effect on ACTH secretion with a 1-4% increase. In summary, we have demonstrated that serotonin is synthesized in and secreted from corticotroph tumor cells and that serotonin plays a role in regulation of corticotroph tumor proliferation and ACTH secretion in vitro. Our findings using inhibitors of serotonin action indicate potential for targeting this pathway as a novel treatment for patients with CD.