Margaux Laulhé, Emmanuelle Kuhn, Jérôme Bouligand, Larbi Amazit, Julie Perrot, Elise Lebigot, Peter Kamenickỷ, Marc Lombès, Jérôme Fagart, Say Viengchareun, Laetitia Martinerie
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective: Glucocorticoid resistance is a rare endocrine disease caused by variants of the NR3C1 gene encoding the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). We identified a novel heterozygous variant (GRR569Q) in a patient with uncommon reversible glucocorticoid resistance syndrome.
Methods: We performed ex vivo functional characterization of the variant in patient fibroblasts and in vitro through transient transfection in undifferentiated HEK 293T cells to assess transcriptional activity, affinity, and nuclear translocation. We studied the impact of the variant on the tertiary structure of the ligand-binding domain through 3D modeling.
Results: The patient presented initially with an adrenal adenoma with mild autonomous cortisol secretion and undetectable adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) levels. Six months after surgery, biological investigations showed elevated cortisol and ACTH (urinary free cortisol 114 µg/24 h, ACTH 10.9 pmol/L) without clinical symptoms, evoking glucocorticoid resistance syndrome. Functional characterization of the GRR569Q showed decreased expression of target genes (in response to 100 nM cortisol: SGK1 control +97% vs patient +20%, P < .0001) and impaired nuclear translocation in patient fibroblasts compared to control. Similar observations were made in transiently transfected cells, but higher cortisol concentrations overcame glucocorticoid resistance. GRR569Q showed lower ligand affinity (Kd GRWT: 1.73 nM vs GRR569Q: 4.61 nM). Tertiary structure modeling suggested a loss of hydrogen bonds between H3 and the H1-H3 loop.
Conclusion: This is the first description of a reversible glucocorticoid resistance syndrome with effective negative feedback on corticotroph cells regarding increased plasma cortisol concentrations due to the development of mild autonomous cortisol secretion.
期刊介绍:
European Journal of Endocrinology is the official journal of the European Society of Endocrinology. Its predecessor journal is Acta Endocrinologica.
The journal publishes high-quality original clinical and translational research papers and reviews in paediatric and adult endocrinology, as well as clinical practice guidelines, position statements and debates. Case reports will only be considered if they represent exceptional insights or advances in clinical endocrinology.
Topics covered include, but are not limited to, Adrenal and Steroid, Bone and Mineral Metabolism, Hormones and Cancer, Pituitary and Hypothalamus, Thyroid and Reproduction. In the field of Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism we welcome manuscripts addressing endocrine mechanisms of disease and its complications, management of obesity/diabetes in the context of other endocrine conditions, or aspects of complex disease management. Reports may encompass natural history studies, mechanistic studies, or clinical trials.
Equal consideration is given to all manuscripts in English from any country.