Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have grown adrenal gland cells in a laboratory dish that resemble human adrenal tissue. The findings were published in the journal Developmental Cell and mark a notable step in modeling how the human adrenal system develops outside the body.
The adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys and play a central role in maintaining bodily health. They regulate blood pressure, metabolism, stress responses, and reproductive function through the hormones they release. In recent years, scientists have sought reliable lab models to study how these glands form, function, and fail in disease, with potential implications for diagnosis, drug testing, and future therapies.
In the study, researchers guided stem cells in a controlled petri dish environment to proliferate, mature, and take on several functions characteristic of the adrenal cortex. The laboratory organoids demonstrated key activities, including the production of steroid hormones such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). While these organ-like structures do not yet replicate every aspect of a native adrenal gland, they provide a robust platform to observe early developmental processes and to test how external compounds might influence glandular behavior.
The ability to recapitulate aspects of adrenal development in vitro offers a gateway to exploring adrenal insufficiency and the effects of pharmaceuticals on gland function. In the longer term, such models could contribute to strategies for replacing or repairing damaged adrenal tissue in patients affected by conditions like Cushing’s syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome, and related disorders. This line of research aligns with broader efforts to create patient-specific regenerative models that improve understanding of endocrine diseases and accelerate preclinical testing.
Adrenal disease, if not properly managed, can lead to serious complications such as low blood pressure, fainting, and even life-threatening events. Adrenal hormones also influence cancer biology in some contexts, including roles in the progression of certain prostate cancers. Although current treatments for primary adrenal insufficiency focus on hormone replacement, therapy side effects remain a challenge. Ongoing studies using lab-grown adrenal tissue aim to broaden knowledge about gland function and to refine approaches for safer, more effective interventions in the future.