Differential gene expression between ACTH-secreting pituitary microadenomas and macroadenomas

• Grant number: 12/17395-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: December 01, 2012
• End date: November 30, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Human and Medical Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Maria Candida Barisson Villares Fragoso
• Grantee: Maria Candida Barisson Villares Fragoso
• Host Institution: Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP (HCFMUSP). Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Ericka Barbosa Trarbach

Abstract

Around 10% of pituitary tumors are ACTH-secreting (corticotropinomas) and causes Cushing's disease, characterized by autonomous secretion of ACTH which stimulates the chronic and excessive production of cortisol by the adrenal glands. In most patients with Cushing's disease, corticotropinomas are microadenomas (<10 mm) and 4-10% of these patients have macroadenomas (e 10 mm). Macroadenomas might invade paraselares structures and also present supraselar extensions. Corticotropinomas has monoclonal origin and its primary cause is not fully elucidated yet. Mutations in protooncogenes, classical tumor suppressor genes and specific corticotrophic regulatory receptors are rarely involved in the genesis of corticotropinomas. Analysis of gene expression by microarray has successfully identified patterns of expression and allowed the definition of clinically relevant phenotypes in several types of human tumors, including corticotropinomas. However, differential analysis of genes expressed in corticotropinomas comparing the different types of tumors such as microadenomas, macroadenomas, and invasive corticotropinomas has not been performed yet. Thus, this study aims to identify and compare the profile of differential gene expression between microcorticotropinomas, macrocorticotropinomas and invasive corticotropinomas of patients with Cushing's disease using the microarray and correlate these findings with clinical, laboratory and imaging data. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

TADEU DE ARAUJO, LEONARDO JOSE; LERARIO, ANTONIO MARCONDES; DE CASTRO, MARGARET; MARTINS, CLARISSA SILVA; BRONSTEIN, MARCELLO DELANO; MACHADO, MARCIO CARLOS; TRARBACH, ERICKA BARBOSA; BARISSON VILLARES FRAGOSO, MARIA CANDIDA. Transcriptome analysis showed a Differential signature between invasive and non-invasive corticotrophinomas. FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY, v. 8, MAR 22 2017. (12/17395-5)