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The Ectopic Expression of the Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide Receptor Is Frequent in Adrenocorticotropin-Independent Bilateral Macronodular Adrenal Hyperplasia, but Rare in Unilateral Tumors

Service des Maladies Endocriniennes et Métaboliques (J.P.L., X.B., J.B.), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UPR1524 (L.G., K.P., X.B., J.B.), CHU Cochin, 75014 Paris, France; Service d’Endocrinologie (H.L.) et INSERM, U-413 (V.C.), CHU de Rouen, 76000 Rouen, France; Service d’Endocrinologie (A.T.), CHU de Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France; Service d’Endocrinologie (P.T.), CHU de Clermont Ferrand, 63000 Clermont Ferrand, France; Service de Médecine Interne (J.L.S.), CHU de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; and COMETE Network, 75015 Paris, France

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. Jérôme Bertherat, Service des Maladies Endocriniennes et Métaboliques, Hôpital Cochin, 27 rue du Fg St. Jacques, 75014, Paris, France. E-Mail: . jerome.bertherat{at}cch.ap-hop-paris.fr

Abstract

Control of cortisol secretion by the abnormal expression of the gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor (GIP-R) have been observed in some rare cases of ACTH-independent, food-dependent Cushing’s syndrome (FD-ACS) due to adrenal adenoma (AA) or bilateral macronodular hyperplasia (AIMAH). This study was performed to determine the prevalence of GIP-R ectopic expression in ACS and its correlation with fasting cortisol levels.

GIP-R expression was studied by RT-PCR in 30 unilateral adrenal tumors [16 AA and 14 adrenocortical cancer (AC)] and 8 AIMAH tissues. Fasting and postprandial cortisol levels were assayed, respectively, at 0800 and 1200 h in AA, AC, and AIMAH, and 1 h after a morning standard meal in 6 AIMAH patients.

Similar expression of 2 GIP-R isoforms was observed in 1 of 16 AA, 0 of 14 AC, and 4 of 8 AIMAH as well as in the 4 insulinomas used as positive controls. In vitro study of the GIP-R-expressing AA showed stimulation of cortisol secretion and cAMP production by GIP. The fasting 0800-h plasma cortisol level was above 276 nmol/liter in all patients except 1 AA case and 1 AIMAH case, both of whom expressed GIP-R. In the 3 additional AIMAH cases that expressed the GIP-R, fasting plasma cortisol levels were above 276 nmol/liter.

This study demonstrates that ectopic expression of GIP-R is rare in AA and is usually associated with the low fasting plasma cortisol levels that characterize FD-ACS. In contrast, GIP-R expression is frequent in AIMAH and might not always be associated with a low fasting plasma cortisol level. This suggests that maintenance of hypercortisolemia in GIP-R- expressing AIMAH does not always depend solely on GIP-R, and that simultaneous abnormal expression of other membrane receptors might be present. The expression of GIP-R could not be observed during malignant transformation of the adrenal cortex.

This study highlighted the major role of cAMP alterations secondary to GIP-R ectopic expression in the pathophysiology of AIMAH and in some rare cases of well differentiated benign adrenocortical tumors.

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