The adrenal gland cell type enriched transcriptome

The adrenal glands are hormone producing organs that sit above the kidneys, and are typically divided into two main sections, the cortex and the medulla. The adrenal cortex produces three main types of hormones: glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and androgens. Cortisol, the primary glucocorticoid, regulates metabolism, stress response, and inflammation. Aldosterone, the main mineralocorticoid, controls blood pressure and electrolyte balance. The adrenal medulla primarily produces catecholamines, such as adrenaline and noradrenaline, which are involved in the body's fight or flight response.

3036 genes were predicted to have cell type specificity in the adrenal gland.

  • 13 cell types profiled
  • 578 very highly enriched genes
  • 1031 highly enriched genes
  • 1427 moderately enriched genes

Adrenal gland cell type enriched transcriptome: Summary

Genes with predicted cell type specificity within adrenal gland are detailed in Table 1. Identified genes are subdivided into 3 specificity categories, based on the difference between the enrichment score in the corresponding cell type, compared to the other cell types profiled in the tissue (see Methods Summary page for details):

  • Predicted specificity: ยดVery highยด - Differential score vs. other profiled cell types within the tissue >0.35
  • Predicted specificity: ยดHighยด - Differential score vs. other profiled cell types within the tissue >0.25
  • Predicted specificity: ยดModerateยด - Differential score vs. other profiled cell types within the tissue >0.15


Table 1. Number of genes in each specificity category in the adrenal gland cell types.

Cell type
Very high
High
Moderate
Total enriched
Adrenal cortex cells 278 576 885 1739
Adrenal medulla cells 3 64 180 247
Schwann cells 0 7 25 32
Mitotic cells (Adrenal gland) 89 31 22 142
Endothelial cells 26 36 34 96
Smooth muscle cells 8 8 14 30
Fibroblasts 25 107 101 233
Macrophages 65 117 103 285
Neutrophils 5 9 19 33
T-cells 25 34 22 81
Plasma cells 54 42 22 118
All cell types 57810311427 3036


Figure 1. Bar plot of the number of enriched genes in the cell types of the adrenal gland, divided by specificity category

0.02004006008001.0k1.2k1.4kgenesAdrenal cortex cells_1Adrenal cortex cells_2Adrenal cortex cells_3Adrenal medulla cellsSchwann cellsMitotic cells (Adrenal gland)Endothelial cellsSmooth muscle cellsFibroblastsMacrophagesNeutrophilsT-cellsPlasma cellsVery highHighModerate

Adrenal gland cell type enriched transcriptome: Illustrative examples

Adrenal cortex cells

The adrenal cortex forms the outermost and largest section of the adrenal gland, and is divided into three zones. The zona glomerulosa is the outermost zone and is responsible for the production of mineralocorticoids, especially aldosterone, which controls blood pressure and pH levels by regulating the rates of sodium and potassium reabsorption and extraction in the kidneys. The zona fasciculata is the middle zone that produces glucocorticoids, particularly cortisol, which is released due to stress and can regulate metabolism of energy stores. The zona reticularis is the innermost zone, located adjacent to the adrenal medulla. It mostly produces androgens and small amounts of glucocorticoids.

Enriched genes in the adrenal cortex cells include cellular communication network factor 3 (CCN3) and Phosphodiesterase 2A (PDE2A). They also include those involved in the steroid synthesis pathway, such as Cytochrome P450 Family 11 Subfamily A Member 1 (CYP11A1) and Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein (STAR), and those involved in the detoxification of reactive oxygen species, such as Nicotinamide Nucleotide Transhydrogenase (NNT) and Aldo-Keto Reductase Family 1 Member B (NNT).

0.30.40.50.60.70.80.91.0Enrichment
CCN3 - Adrenal gland

CCN3
0.30.40.50.60.70.80.91.0Enrichment
PDE2A - Adrenal gland

PDE2A

Steroid synthesis proteins

0.30.40.50.60.70.80.91.0Enrichment
CYP11A1 - Adrenal gland

CYP11A1
0.30.40.50.60.70.80.91.0Enrichment
STAR - Adrenal gland

STAR

Detoxification proteins

0.30.40.50.60.70.80.91.0Enrichment
NNT - Adrenal gland

NNT
0.30.40.50.60.70.80.91.0Enrichment
AKR1B1 - Adrenal gland

AKR1B1

Adrenal medulla cells

The adrenal medulla is the inner part of the adrenal gland, surrounded by the adrenal cortex. The cells here produce catecholamines, including adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine), which are crucial for the body's "fight-or-flight" response. These hormones help regulate heart rate, blood pressure, and metabolism during stress. The adrenal medulla is closely connected to the sympathetic nervous system, allowing for rapid hormone release in response to stressors. Enriched genes in the cells of the adrenal medulla include Dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) and Phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT), enzymes that convert dopamine into noradrenaline, and noradrenaline into adrenaline, respectively. Other enriched genes include the transcription factor Paired Like Homeobox 2A (PHOX2A).

0.30.40.50.60.70.80.91.0Enrichment
DBH - Adrenal gland

DBH
0.30.40.50.60.70.80.91.0Enrichment
PNMT - Adrenal gland

PNMT
0.30.40.50.60.70.80.91.0Enrichment
PHOX2A - Adrenal gland

PHOX2A