Abstract
The adrenal gland provides an important function by integrating neuronal, immune, vascular, metabolic and endocrine signals under a common organ capsule. It is the central organ of the stress response system and has been implicated in numerous stress-related disorders. While for other diseases, regeneration of healthy organ tissue has been aimed at such approaches are lacking for endocrine diseases - with the exception of type-I-diabetes. Moreover, tumor formation is very common, however, appropriate high-throughput applications reflecting the high heterogeneity and furthermore relevant 3D-structures in vitro are still widely lacking. Recently, we have initiated the development of standardized multidimensional models of a variety of endocrine cell/tissue sources in a new multiwell-format. Firstly, we confirmed common applicability for pancreatic pseudo-islets. Next, we translated applicability for spheroid establishment to adrenocortical cell lines as well as patient material to establish spheroids from malignant, but also benign adrenal tumors. We aimed furthermore at the development of bovine derived adrenal organoids and were able to establish steroidogenic active organoids containing both, cells of cortical and medullary origin. Overall, we hope to open new avenues for basic research, endocrine cancer and adrenal tissue-replacement-therapies as we demonstrate potential for innovative mechanistic insights and personalized medicine in endocrine (tumor)-biology.
Competing Interest Statement
PK declares being founder and employee of Kugelmeiers Ltd., a spinoff company of the University of Zurich, which produces the Sphericalplate 5D
Footnotes
Additional information: Financial support: This work was kindly supported by the Heuberg Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland (Working Title: “Novel multidimensional models for the adrenal gland and adrenal tumors”) to C.H and S.B. Moreover, the work received funding from the Immuno-TargET project under the umbrella of University Medicine Zurich to C.H., S.N. and F.B, by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, project no. 314061271, TRR 205/1) to S.B., F.B.,S.N., M.P., C.S and B.L and by AIRC (project ID IG23009) to A.B.
Conflict of interest disclosure statement: PK declares being founder and employee of Kugelmeiers Ltd., a spinoff company of the University of Zurich, which produces the Sphericalplate 5D.